What is Obstructive Sleep Apnea?
Obstructive sleep apnea is one of the most common sleep disorders in the world. With as much as an estimated quarter of Canadians living with OSA, it’s no surprise that many people who suffer from chronic fatigue can trace the cause back to obstructive sleep apnea. Since this disorder is so common, the experts at CPAP Supply Canada want to make sure you know what it is and how you can determine if you may have it.
A Breathing-Related Disorder
While there are many types of sleep apnea, obstructive sleep apnea is by far the most common. Obstructive sleep apnea occurs when muscles in your throat relax during sleep. This causes airway blockage that makes it difficult to breathe. This relaxation happens intermittently throughout the night, interfering with your natural sleep rhythm and blocking the flow of oxygen.
Signs and Symptoms
There are several signs and symptoms of obstructive sleep apnea. The most easily recognizable sign is excessive snoring and episodes of stopped breathing while asleep. If you have obstructive sleep apnea, you may wake up abruptly in the middle of the night feeling a choking sensation or gasping for air. You may also experience dry mouth, sore throat, headaches, or grogginess in the morning as well as sleepiness, difficulty concentrating, mood shifts, high blood pressure, or libido decline throughout the day.
Treatment
If you suspect you may suffer from obstructive sleep apnea, the first thing you need to do is schedule an appointment with your primary care physician. Explain your signs and symptoms to them and let them help you determine the next steps. Oftentimes they’ll perform bloodwork to rule out other contributors to daytime sleepiness, such as a vitamin deficiency. They may also suggest a cautionary MRI to make sure you’re not suffering from a brain tumor or other cancerous growths.
After alternatives are ruled out, your provider will most likely refer you to a pulmonologist to perform a sleep study. A sleep study is a two-part process, the first of which determines if you have breathing issues. During the study, you’ll take a series of naps which the provider observes to study your patterns and vitals. From there, if you are diagnosed, your pulmonologist will prescribe some form of ongoing sleep treatment. This is most often a CPAP or dental device designed to open the airway.
Obstructive sleep apnea is a disruptive disorder that can cause serious complications if left untreated. However, once diagnosed, many patients experience extreme improvement in their everyday lives as a result of CPAP or dental device treatment. To learn more about obstructive sleep apnea, contact the team at CPAP Supply Canada today!