Sleep Apnea Q&A
Millions of people suffer from obstructive sleep apnea and don’t even know it. Sleep apnea is a harmful condition that can have serious health repercussions if not managed properly. We want our patients and their loved ones to be healthy and happy, so we put together a list of some important questions about sleep apnea.
Q: What are the main symptoms of sleep apnea?
A: Most people with sleep apnea snore loudly and will often choke or gasp for air during the night. Some of the most common daytime symptoms of sleep apnea include:
- Morning headaches
- Dry mouth/sore throat not related to illness or allergies
- Frequent drowsiness
- Irritability and moodiness
- Uncharacteristic anxiety or depression
- Trouble concentrating
- Dozing off while driving
- High blood pressure
- Neck and shoulder pain
Q: How do I know if my partner or I have sleep apnea?
A: If you suspect the quality of your sleep is suffering, wake up tired even after sleeping 7-8 hours, or your spouse has complained that you snore loudly at night, request a sleep study by contacting one of our four locations. A sleep study involves a small device that you wear for a number of nights while you sleep. It records your heart rate, breathing, and other vital information to tell us about the quality of your sleep. That information, along with a thorough examination conducted by one of our doctors, will help us understand whether you have sleep apnea and to what degree it is interrupting your sleep.
Q: My doctor told me I have only mild sleep apnea. Do I need to treat it?
A: Although your sleep apnea may be mild, it is still diminishing the quality of your sleep, which will have long-term consequences if not remedied. We recommend consulting with one of our sleep specialists to learn about treatment options and the consequences of not treating your sleep apnea.
Q: Does sleep apnea only affect adults?
A: Children of any age can develop sleep apnea. Some children have an underdeveloped airway, which causes disordered breathing when they sleep. Sleep apnea is just as serious in children as it is in adults. Please consult a sleep specialist who works with children if you suspect your child may have a sleep disorder.
Q: Is CPAP the only effective sleep apnea treatment?
A: There are various alternatives to CPAP for treating sleep apnea. Our patients find great success with oral appliances. CPAP does not work for everyone, and an oral appliance may be a better solution. With an oral appliance, there is no bulky, noisy machine or mask. The device fits entirely inside your mouth, keeping your jaw in the proper position while you sleep to prevent airway obstruction and help you breathe freely all night.
If you have questions about sleep apnea, would like to know more about take-home sleep studies, or wish to request a consultation with one of our expert sleep doctors, please contact us. We have four locations to serve sleep apnea and TMD patients: Bellevue, Federal Way, Lynnwood, and Silverdale, WA. We look forward to hearing from you.
