Obstructive Sleep Apnea in Livonia, MI
Obstructive sleep apnea is often a silent but devastating disorder. If you experience chronic exhaustion, even though you are under the impression that you sleep through the night, sleep apnea may be to blame. Fortunately, we can identify the symptoms of sleep apnea, provide treatment, and help eliminate your sleepless nights.
What Happens During Obstructive Sleep Apnea?
As you sleep, you may experience obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) when the tissues of your throat and soft palate relax and collapse, blocking your airway. When air is prevented from passing in and out, your brain is deprived of oxygen and, as a result, signals your body to wake up so you can breathe again. However, these emergency wake-up reactions are often so quick, you may not remember them in the morning.
Is Sleep Apnea the Same As Snoring?
Sleep apnea and snoring are not identical. However, snoring often accompanies sleep apnea. When you snore, your airways are partially blocked due to relaxed tissues in your throat. These tissues vibrate as you breathe, creating the loud sound we identify as snoring. However, with sleep apnea, your airways temporarily close completely, depriving you of oxygen. When this happens, you may wake to – or your spouse may hear – one loud sound as you gasp for air. People with sleep apnea also experience loud, excessive, snoring.
How Do I Know If I Have Sleep Apnea?
Sleep apnea causes patients to feel exhausted because their brain wakes them up multiple times a night to breathe. Unfortunately, they often fall asleep again so fast, they have no memory of the experience. Obstructive sleep apnea can jolt you out of sleep up to 30 times per hour. Since you cannot necessarily tell if you are experiencing sleepless nights, and because symptoms may point to other issues, coming in for a visit with Dr. Stewart and our team is essential. Other sleep apnea symptoms include snoring, gasping for air, and choking.
Will I Ever Get A Proper Night’s Sleep?
At the office of Dr. Stewart, we offer a variety of treatment options for OSA so you can once again enjoy a thorough night’s rest without interruption. After discussing your symptoms, reviewing your oral history, and giving you a complete exam, we may also suggest sleep apnea testing, after which we will devise a comprehensive treatment plan to help you get a proper night’s rest.
There are also changes you can make to your daily habits to encourage a good, restful night’s sleep:
- Eat a healthy, balanced diet
- Exercise regularly
- Limit or cease consumption of caffeine and/or alcohol
- Stop smoking and using other nicotine-based products
- Speak with your doctor about medications that may interfere with restful sleep
- Create a dark, quiet environment – avoid looking at screens, such as televisions or cell phones, which may confuse your body’s natural clock into thinking it is daytime
