Sleep apnea is a sleep disorder characterized by repeated episodes of interrupted breathing during sleep. There are two main types of sleep apnea: obstructive sleep apnea and central sleep apnea.
Sleep apnea is characterized by repeated episodes of interrupted breathing during sleep, which can last from a few seconds to a few minutes. The brain then signals the body to wake up and resume breathing, often resulting in snoring. This can occur hundreds of times per night, resulting in fragmented and poor quality sleep.
Untreated sleep apnea can have negative consequences for a person’s health, such as:
- Daytime sleepiness and fatigue, which can impact work and daily activities.
- Increased risk of accidents or injuries due to impaired cognitive function and alertness.
- Hypertension, which can lead to other health problems such as heart disease, stroke and diabetes.
- Worsening of existing diseases such as asthma and acid reflux.
- Mood disturbances, such as depression and irritability.
There are two main types of sleep apnea:
- Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA): the most common form of sleep apnea, occurs when the muscles in the back of the throat fail to keep the airway open, causing a blockage.
- Central sleep apnea (CSA): occurs when the brain fails to send adequate signals to the muscles that control breathing.
Mixed sleep apnea is a combination of OSA and CSA.
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The risk factors for sleep apnea are obesity, family history of sleep apnea, being male, being over 40 years old, having a thick neck circumference and smoking.
Sleep apnea is usually diagnosed by a sleep study, which can be performed in a sleep clinic or at home with a portable monitoring device. The study measures a variety of factors, such as heart rate, oxygen levels and breathing patterns during sleep.
Treatment options for sleep apnea include lifestyle changes, such as losing weight, avoiding alcohol and sedatives, and sleeping on your side. Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy, in which a machine delivers air pressure through a mask that is placed over the nose and/or mouth during sleep, is also a common treatment. In some cases, surgery may be necessary to reposition the jaw.
Although sleep apnea cannot be cured, it can be effectively controlled with proper treatment. Treatment can improve symptoms and reduce the risk of complications.
Untreated sleep apnea can have negative consequences for a person’s health, such as hypertension, heart disease, stroke and diabetes. I t can also affect daily functioning and increase the risk of accidents or injuries due to impaired cognitive function and alertness.
Dr. Hugo has current credentials and accreditations to perform procedures both in his facilities and in the following hospitals: