2. WHAT IS SLEEP APNEA? Sleep apnea is a sleep disorder characterized by abnormal pauses in breathing or instances of abnormally low breathing, during sleep. Each pause in breathing, called an apnea, can last from a few seconds to minutes, and may occur 5 to 30 times or more an hour. Similarly, each abnormally low breathing event is called a hypopnea. Sleep apnea is diagnosed with an overnight sleep test called a polysomnogram, or a "sleep study".
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4. IS YOUR PARTNER TELLING YOU THAT YOU SNORE? An individual with sleep apnea is rarely aware of having difficulty breathing, even upon awakening. Sleep apnea is recognized as a problem by others witnessing the individual during episodes or is suspected because of its effects on the body. Symptoms may be present for years (or even decades) without identification, during which time the sufferer may become conditioned to the daytime sleepiness and fatigue associated with significant levels of sleep disturbance.
5. SLEEP APNEA SYMPTOMS Excessive daytime sleepiness Waking with an un-refreshed feeling after sleep, having problems with memory and concentration, feeling tired, and experiencing personality changes. Morning or night headaches. Heartburn or a sour taste in the mouth at night. Swelling of the legs. Getting up during the night to urinate. Sweating and chest painwhile you are sleeping. Symptoms of sleep apnea that others may notice include: Episodes of not breathing Loud snoring. Restless tossing and turning during sleep. Nighttime choking or gasping spells.
7. Statistically speaking, more than 40 MILLION people in the U.S., or one in seven individuals, suffer from not enough or poor quality of sleep. Sleep deprivation is known to cause the following Cerebral vascular accidents/strokes Heart disease Hypertension Diabetes Obesity
8. Most adults need about seven to eight hours of sleep within the 24-hour cycle that makes up our circadian rhythm, or biological clock. Sleep is a resting state where the body is inactive, blood pressure and temperature are lowered, breathing is slowed, and senses are unaware. Medical science believes that during sleep our bodies repair and renew their tissues, nerve cells, and biochemical's. A common misconception is that your brain during sleep is inactive. Quite the contrary, it is widely believed that sleep is a time for the brain to organize long-term memory and new information, and to put activities and emotions into context.
10. What to Expect during a Sleep Study At BEL-RED SLEEP DIAGNOSTIC CENTER, you will spend the night, or six to eight hours of the day, being monitored by a sleep technologist. NPSG, MSLT, MWT, or NCPAP treatment will be performed as the sleep physician orders. Diagnostic study or CPAP treatment results will be ready in three consecutive business days and sent to your primary physician.
11. What to Expect during a Sleep Study The test will record your brain wave activity, muscle movements, rapid eye movement, breathing, snoring, heart rate, teeth grinding, and possible restless legs syndrome.
12. After your study is evaluated you will be contacted to discuss the options you have to treat Sleep Apnea. Some Treatments Include the following: CPAP MACHINE ORAL APPLIANCE SURGERY The choice is ultimately the patients so you may want to research the best option for your lifestyle.
14. GIVE US A CALL OR EMAIL US TODAY WE CAN HELP YOU GET THE GOOD NIGHT SLEEP YOU DESERVE! PHONE: 425-451-8417 EMAIL:INFO@BEL-REDSLEEPDIAGNOSTICCENTER.COM CHECK OUT OUR WEBSITE www.bel-redsleepdiagnosticcenter.com
