Welcome to Sleep Apnea MD

On Sleep Apnea MD you will find answers to sleep apnea symptoms, cures and find doctors that can provide treatment in your area.  As you may already know, sleep is essential for health and wellbeing. While we sleep at night, we heal and recuperate from the activities of our day. Sleep facilitates muscle growth and tissue repair, and also helps the brain commit new information to memory. Sufficient sleep is one of the best defense mechanisms we have to stay healthy and handle daily stress. In other words, we function and perform at our best when we are well rested. We are better colleagues, parents, companions and lovers when we are relaxed and at ease. We face challenges with more energy and cognition, and we are better able to function and problem-solve following a good night’s sleep.

Although everyone’s individual sleep needs varies, studies show most adults need approximately 8 hours of rest to feel “at their best.” Yet, unfortunately, millions do not get enough sleep or suffer from sleep disorders. And most of those with sleep disorders go undiagnosed or untreated.

Sleep Apnea is a highly common sleep disorder with serious, and sometimes fatal health consequences. Sleep Apnea is characterized by abnormal pauses in breathing while asleep and is usually accompanied by snoring. Those who suffer from sleep apnea experience a reduction or cessation in breathing, otherwise known as “apneic events,” throughout their night’s sleep. There can be up to 20 or 30 apneic events that occur per hour. These events are almost always accompanied by snoring; and sometimes, choking sensations.

The three types of sleep apnea are central apnea, obstructive apnea, and a mixture of both. Central sleep apnea is caused by a failure of the brain to activate the muscles of breathing during sleep. Obstructive sleep apnea is caused by the collapse of the airway during sleep, usually occurring in the throat region. Obstructive sleep apnea is found in 4% of adult Americans; but because symptoms occur while sleeping, approximately 80% of those with this condition are unaware they have it.

During waking hours, the consequences of sleep apnea can take an enormous toll. Most individuals with apnea experience morning headaches, memory or learning problems, irritability, trouble focusing, mood swings and/or personality changes. Besides badly altering one’s quality of life, obstructive sleep apnea also gives rise to a number of moderate to severe medical conditions like hypertension, angina, nocturnal cardiac arrhythmias, stroke, emotional problems, depression, mood disorders, poor memory, irritability and motor vehicle accidents due to daytime drowsiness.

In order to find out if you suffer from sleep apnea, a qualified doctor will do a physical exam and take a medical history that includes asking you and your family questions about how you sleep and how you function during the day. As part of the exam, your doctor will check your mouth, nose, and throat for extra or large tissues, and may order a sleep recording of what happens with your breathing while you sleep. A sleep recording is a test that is often done in a sleep center or sleep laboratory, but also can be done in the home.

Sleep apnea treatment is aimed at restoring regular nighttime breathing and relieving symptoms such as very loud snoring and daytime sleepiness. Treatment also helps alleviates associated medical problems, such as high blood pressure, as well as reduce the risk for heart attack and stroke. Sleep Apnea MD aims to provide appropriate referrals for diagnostic and treatment services for people in the community who suffer from sleep apnea. Refuse to suffer any longer. Improve your quality of life with the right sleep apnea treatment for you, and once again experience uninterrupted, restorative, and restful sleep.

Sleep Apnea MD is dedicated to helping people suffering with sleep apnea to find a qualified doctor in their area to obtain quality treatment.  We encourage you to click here to find a doctor and browse through our directory and find help near you.