%20(1124%20%C3%97%20300%20px).png)
Sleep apnea
A person with sleep apnea stops breathing multiple times throughout the night, which puts significant stress on the body. This stress can lead to health problems and dangerous medical issues over time, such as daytime fatigue, heart problems, high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, metabolic syndrome, liver problems, complications with medications and general anesthesia from surgery.
Symptoms of sleep apnea
How do you know if you have sleep apnea? The most common symptoms include:
-
Loud and ongoing snoring that may include pauses, choking, or gasping
-
Fighting sleepiness during the day, at work, or while driving
-
Morning headaches
-
Memory and/or issues concentrating
-
Feeling irritable, depressed or mood swings
-
Waking up multiple times to urinate
-
Dry mouth or sore throat when you wake up
Types of sleep apnea
There are different types of sleep apnea, which include:
- Obstructive sleep apnea, the most common type, happens when the tongue and other muscles relax while you sleep, causing your airway to temporarily close several times per hour.
- Central sleep apnea happens because your brain forgets to send signals to the muscles that control your breathing.
- Complex sleep apnea is a combination of the first two types of sleep apnea.
Treatment options for sleep apnea at Firelands Center for Sleep Disorders
Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP)
Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machines use mild air pressure to keep your airways open while you sleep.
Inspire® Upper Airway Stimulation
Inspire is a surgical alternative to CPAP that works inside your body. It’s a small implantable device placed during a same-day outpatient procedure. The device is turned on nightly with a small remote and stays on while you sleep.
Learn more about the Inspire Procedure
