Sleep apnea requires treatment to prevent serious health problems.
While sleep apnea prevents millions of Americans from getting the quality of sleep they deserve, it’s also surprisingly underdiagnosed. If you or your bed partner is a chronically loud snorer or gasps for air in the middle of the night our Arlington, TX, board-certified cardiologist Dr. Atif Sohail and the team at Heart & Sleep Clinics of America can help get this sleep disorder under control.
Does sleep apnea need to be treated?
Even if you are dealing with mild symptoms it’s still important that you visit our Arlington, TX, cardiology team if you are experiencing symptoms of sleep apnea. This is because this condition can increase the risk for some serious health problems and complications including,
- Hypertension
- Heart disease
- Stroke
- Type 2 diabetes
- Asthma
What are the signs and symptoms of sleep apnea?
You could be dealing with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) if you experience,
- Restless sleep
- Extreme daytime fatigue despite getting enough sleep
- Morning headaches
- Brain fog
- Trouble concentrating
- Poor memory
- Mood swings
- Gasping for air in the middle of the night
- Chronic, loud snoring
It’s important to undergo a proper sleep study to determine whether your symptoms are the result of sleep apnea or if there is another sleep disorder at play.
How is sleep apnea treated?
The standard course of treatment for OSA is a treatment known as continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy, in which a face mask is worn over the nose and mouth to deliver pressurized air to prevent the airways from collapsing while you are asleep. Along with using CPAP therapy every night, our cardiologist may recommend lifestyle changes including,
- Losing excess weight
- Avoiding alcohol and sedatives
- Quit smoking
- Sleeping on your side (avoid sleeping on your stomach or back)
If you are dealing with milder symptoms, then your doctor may recommend a simple custom oral appliance rather than CPAP therapy. This treatment option may also be recommended to patients who aren’t ideal candidates for CPAP treatment.
If you are experiencing symptoms of sleep apnea it’s important to talk to a qualified specialist. Call Heart & Sleep Clinics of America in Arlington, TX, at (817) 419-7220 to schedule an evaluation with our cardiologist.