Sleep Apnea - Causes and Treatment Options in Richmond, VA

Maybe your partner keeps prodding you in the night to get you to stop snoring so loudly. Even though you were asleep by 9 p.m., you may nod off during business meetings. In any case, you and probably your partner aren't receiving the finest possible rest.

It's one thing to occasionally have sleepless nights. However, if you snore often or a TMJ is generally exhausted, it may be an indication that you have sleep apnea, a common disorder that can have major health consequences. Unfortunately, up to 80% of those with sleep apnea may be misdiagnosed.

You repeatedly stop breathing while you sleep if you have sleep apnea, a dangerous sleep disorder. You can experience hundreds of breathing stops in a single night if untreated. The remainder of your body, including the brain, may not be receiving enough oxygen as a result.

Your brain will wake you up if it doesn't receive enough oxygen, allowing you to reopen your airway and give your body extra oxygen. You won't likely even remember waking up because you will only be awake for a brief moment or two.

The risk to your health increases the more times during the night that you stop breathing. The frequency of your breathing stops will therefore determine how severe your sleep apnea is

 • You stop breathing 5 to 14 times each hour it is a sign of obstructive sleep apnea

 • You stop breathing 15–29 times per hour if you have moderate sleep apnea.

 • You stop breathing more than 30 times each hour when you have severe sleep apnea.

Obstructive sleep apnea, is one of the most common types of sleep apnea, is brought on by excessive relaxation of the throat muscles and the soft tissues in the back of the throat, including the tonsils, tongue, and adenoids (the tissue that sits just behind the nose high up in the throat). This leads to repeated obstruction of the upper airway while the person is sleeping. In children, the adenoids are regions of tissue located high in the throat that function as germ traps. By adolescence, they often become smaller, according to MedlinePlus. Even though not everyone who snores has sleep apnea, people with obstructive sleep apnea frequently snore loudly.

Your body is startled awake to breathe as soon as your brain realizes you are not getting enough oxygen. When this happens, a person with obstructive sleep apnea resumes breathing properly while making snoring, coughing, gasping, or choking noises.

Sleep Apnea Symptoms

The following are signs you have sleep apnea

 • Noisy snoring

 • During sleep, gasping for air, breathing stops

 • Frequently waking up and frequently urinating during the night

 • Sleeping inconsolably

 • Insomnia

The following signs of daytime sleep apnea:

 • Daytime headaches

 • Easily irritated and moody

 • Sleeping frequently

 • Daytime drowsiness

What can sleep apnea cause

Accidentally nodding out when awake. For instance, falling asleep at the wheel, while watching TV or while working. 

An automobile accident or an accident at work is more likely to occur if you have sleep apnea.

Obstructive sleep apnea causes

Your risk of developing obstructive sleep apnea is increased by a number of variables, some symptoms of sleep disorder includes:

Weighing too much. - Your body accumulates fat deposits when you are overweight. Your upper airway's surrounding fat deposits may make breathing more challenging.

An enlarged neck. The airways in those with larger necks may be smaller.

Enlarged adenoids or tonsils. Adenoids and tonsils that are swollen can prevent air from entering your airway.

Persistent nasal congestion - If you frequently have a stuffy nose due to allergies, recurring sinus infections, or anatomical issues like a deviated septum, you may be more susceptible to developing sleep apnea.

Smoking - Smoking might make your airway narrow due to an increase in swelling and fluid retention.

Using alcohol, tranquilizers, or sedatives. These medications can make it more difficult for you to breathe because they relax your throat muscles.

a variety of health issues. Obstructive sleep apnea is associated with a higher risk of a number of medical disorders, such as:

 • Elevated blood pressure

 • Enlarged heart disease

 • Diabetes type 2

 • Parkinson's condition

 • Ovarian polycyst syndrome

 • Hormone problems

 • Persistent lung diseases

 • Stroke

How to avoid having sleep apnea

There are steps you may take to lower your risk of getting sleep apnea or stop it from growing worse consider these sleep disorder treatment:

 • Swap positions while you're asleep. Your airway can stay open more easily if you sleep on your side as opposed to your back.

 • Allergy treatment Getting allergy symptoms under control can significantly improve the quality of your nighttime sleep.

 • Become more fit. To get rid of the fatty deposits in your neck, you should try to lose some of your extra weight.

 • Take a workout. You can improve your sleep quality by exercising regularly. Particularly yoga may support restful breathing at night.

 • How to stop sleeping apnea

 • You can take steps to lessen your risk of obtaining sleep apnea or stop it from growing worse. For instance:

 • Use a humidifier. It could be more difficult to breathe if the air in your bedroom is dry. A humidifier can help you breathe easier and reduce congestion.

 • Limit or stop using alcohol, drugs, and sleep aids. It's best to stop using anything that makes your airways more relaxed or changes the way you breathe. Contact your doctor if you're unsure whether you can complete this.

 • Give up smoking. Obstructive sleep apnea is three times more common in smokers than in non-smokers. Quitting smoking can lower your chances.

Is there a cure for sleep apnea? How is it treated?

Depending on the precise form of sleep apnea and how severe it is, there are many treatment options. All of these, while not a cure, can aid in preventing apnea episodes or lessen their frequency or severity. Speak to our sleep doctors in Richmond VA about your treatment options.

When patients follow their treatment regimen every night, they claim to feel more alert during the day, have a better mood, and have a better memory. Treatment for sleep apnea may possibly help avoid or reverse the significant health issues connected to the disorder.

The following are potential therapies:

 • Conservative (non-medical) therapies.

 • Devices with adjustable ventilation and positive airway pressure.

 • Oral appliances (mouthpieces).

 • Stimulators for the nervous system.

 • Surgery.

 • Medications (central sleep apnea only) (central sleep apnea only).

You should incorporate many treatments into your day (or overnight) routine. As long as you continue these therapies, this can eventually lessen or perhaps completely eradicate the negative consequences sleep apnea has on your life.

The consequences of untreated sleep apnea can be severe. But recognizing signs and symptoms of sleep apnea is the first step.

There are efficient sleep apnea treatments accessible, depending on what's causing your sleeplessness. Come in and speak with us about sleep apnea treatment.