SLEEP APNEA TREATMENT LOS ANGELES

WHAT CAN SNORING INDICATE?

Just about everyone snores occasionally -even a baby or a pet may snore.  However, many times snoring can be a sign for a much bigger health problem.

rSnoring can affect the quantity and quality of your sleep.  Consequently, inadequate sleep can lead to daytime fatigue, irritability, weight gain, memory loss, acid reflux, headaches, and other serious health ramifications.  In addition, if your snoring is so loud that your bed partner can’t sleep, both of you are not achieving the proper sleep and rest at night.

If you snore regularly and experience any of the symptoms above, you may have sleep apnea.  Get your sleep apnea treatment in Los Angeles because untreated sleep apnea can wreak havoc on your overall health.

Use this special take home monitor to measure how you sleep. Bring the unit back and we will go over the results with you.

WHAT EXACTLY IS SLEEP APNEA?

According to the Mayo Clinic, sleep apnea is defined as a potentially serious sleep disorder in which breathing repeatedly stops and starts.  You may have sleep apnea if you snore loudly and you feel tired even after a full night’s sleep.  There are two main types of sleep apnea: obstructive sleep apnea, the more common form that occurs when an airway collapses; and central sleep apnea, which occurs when your brain doesn’t send proper signals to the muscles that control breathing.

A person with obstructive sleep apnea may experience shallow breathing and possible pauses in breath, which may look disturbing.  The breathing interruptions can last anywhere from a few seconds to a couple of minutes per breathing episode.  These disturbances cause an individual to attain restless sleep and consequently feel extremely fatigued during the day.

SIGNS OF OBSTRUCTIVE SLEEP APNEA

• Has anyone noticed that you gasp for air or even stop breathing while you’re sleeping?
• Do you often wake feeling “un-refreshed”?
• Do you sometimes feel excessively sleepy during the day?
• Has your energy and motivation decreased?
• Do you find it difficult to concentrate?
• Do you have high blood pressure?
• Have you suffered a stroke or heart attack?
• Do you have Type II Diabetes?

WHY IS SLEEP APNEA DANGEROUS

Untreated, sleep apnea increases the chances of heart attack, stroke, Type II Diabetes, and even sudden death.  Recent reports now indicate a relationship between untreated sleep apnea and cancer, along with dementia, obesity and other health issues.  Up to 20% of the U.S. adult population is estimated to be affected by sleep apnea.  Even more alarming is that nearly 90% of the population remains undiagnosed.

Snoring is no laughing matter.  Since snoring may be an indicator for sleep apnea, it should be taken seriously.  Testing and treatment is necessary to avoid heart problems and other complications.

SERIOUS RISKS TO YOUR HEALTH

• Untreated sleep apnea can be a contributing risk factor in high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, diabetes, and depression.
• There is a five times greater risk of dying from cancer when you have untreated sleep apnea.
• 83% of people who suffer from high blood pressure, (despite taking 3 or more drugs), also have sleep apnea.
• Almost 70% of people who have suffered a stroke have sleep apnea.
• A person with untreated sleep apnea is seven times more likely to have a car accident.
• 60-65% of diabetic patients have obstructive sleep apnea.

The STOP-BANG test below will help reveal how snoring has affected you or someone you know.  answer the following questions to find out if you are at risk for obstructive sleep apnea.

• Snore: Have you been told that you snore? Y/N
• Tired: Are you often tired during the day? Y/N
• Obstruction: Do you know if you stop breathing or has anyone witnessed you stop breathing while you are asleep? Y/N
• Pressure: Do you have high blood pressure or take medication to control high blood pressure? Y/N

If you answered YES to two or more questions on the STOP portion, you are at risk for obstructive sleep apnea.  It is recommended that you contact your primary care provider to discuss a possible sleep disorder.

To find out if you are at greater risk, complete the questions below.  The more questions you answer YES to on the B.A.N.G. portion, the greater your risk of having moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnea.

B.A.N.G.

• BMI: Is your body mass index greater than 28?
• Age: Are you 50 years old or older?
• Neck: Are you a male with a neck circumference greater than 17 inches, or a female with a neck circumference greater than 16 inches?
• Gender: Are you male?

The more questions for which you answer YES to on the B.A.N.G. portion, the greater your risk of having moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnea.

Get your sleep apnea treatment in Los Angeles with Dr Larry Picard. We are located West of the 405 freeway and North of the 10 freeway. Servicing West Los Angeles, Santa Monica, Marina Del Rey and surrounding areas.