Obstructive Sleep Apnea

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Obstructive Sleep Apnea is a condition in which a person actually stops breathing due to a blockage in the windpipe. The breathing obstruction forces the oxygen-deprived person to repeatedly awaken with a cough or gasp to reopen the airway. This disruptive cycle can repeat hundreds of times each night, causing the person to experience progressively disturbed, restless sleep. If you, or someone you know has one or more of the following symptoms, OSA may possibly be the cause:

• Snoring, interrupted by periods of silence or pauses in breathing
• Gasping or choking during sleep
• Insomnia / restless sleep
• Frequent urination at night
• Dry mouth upon waking up
• Morning headaches
• Excessive daytime sleepiness or fatigue
• Impaired cognition
• Anxiety / depression
• Decreased libido
• High blood pressure
• Enlarged heart
• Atrial fibrillation or atrial flutter
• Stroke
• Type II diabetes / insulin resistant diabetes

Our Sleep Specialists are available for professional consultation and management of sleep disorders.