What is sleep apnea?

Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) is a common sleep disorder that is caused by repeated upper airway collapse during sleep. If left untreated OSA can increase your risks of developing cardiovascular disease and other serious health conditions.

The main types of sleep apnea are:

Treatment can eliminate your symptoms and may help prevent heart problems and other complications. Here at Breathe Well we treat all types of sleep apnea.

Common signs and symptoms of sleep apnea

Signs and symptoms of obstructive and central sleep apnea overlap, sometimes making it difficult to determine which type you have. To help diagnose, schedule a sleep test without our experts.

  • Snoring

  • Pauses in breath during sleep

  • Gasping

  • Restless sleep

  • Daytime sleepiness

  • Frequent trips to the bathroom at night

  • Morning headaches

  • Irritability

  • Depression

  • Hypertension

  • Insulin-resistant diabetes

Loud snoring can often indicate a sleep disorder, but not everyone who has sleep apnea snores. Talk to your doctor or schedule a sleep test with us if you have any of the listed symptoms that leave you feeling fatigued, sleepy, and irritable.

What is the main cause of sleep apnea?

In adults, the most common cause of obstructive sleep apnea is excess weight and obesity, which is associated with the soft tissue of the mouth and throat. During sleep, when throat and tongue muscles are more relaxed, this soft tissue can cause the airway to become blocked.

Other risk factors for developing sleep apnea include:

Living with sleep apnea

For mild cases, your doctor may recommend lifestyle changes, such as losing weight or quitting smoking. If further action is needed, there are a number of treatments available. At Breathe Well, we specialize in continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) and bilevel positive airway pressure (BPAP) treatments.

Life with treated sleep apnea results in significant improvements in sleep quality, rest, mood, focus, and clarity, along with the possibility of decreased blood pressure, blood sugar, and other health-related concerns.