Sleep Apnea

Missing out on quality sleep can do more than just leave you tired during the day, it can also lead to serious health conditions like hypertension, obesity, and heart attack. At Austin Medical Group in Austin, Texas, the experienced health care team can assess your risks for sleep disorders like sleep apnea. If you’re tired of being tired, call Austin Medical Group or book an appointment online.

Sleep Apnea Q & A

Sleep apnea is a potentially dangerous condition where your breathing stops periodically while you’re sleeping. This pause in your breathing is called an apnea.

The most common types of sleep apnea are:

Central sleep apnea: your brain doesn’t signal your muscles to breathe
Obstructive sleep apnea: breathing stops due to a blockage in your airway
Complex sleep apnea syndrome: a combination of both central and obstructive sleep apnea

If left untreated, sleep apnea can cause adverse health complications.

Common symptoms of sleep apnea include:

Difficulty staying asleep
Loud snoring
Headaches upon waking
Daytime sleepiness
Irritability and lack of focus
Waking up with dry mouth or a sore throat

When your breathing is disrupted, it prevents your body from getting enough oxygen and forces your cardiovascular system to work harder. Health conditions associated with prolonged sleep apnea include:

Stroke
Type 2 diabetes
Depression
Heart attack
Hypertension
Obesity or weight gain

While sleep apnea is often overlooked as a potential health risk, the attentive team at Austin Medical Group understand the negative impact sleep disorders can have on your health. As part of your personalized wellness strategy, your doctor reviews your sleep quality to assess your potential risks. Factors evaluated during a sleep risk assessment include:

Weight: sleep apnea is more common if you’re overweight
Age: changes in the tongue, neck, and brain occur as you age
Family history: can increase your risk of sleep apnea
Neck size: thicker necks can lead to narrower airways
Throat: narrow throats and enlarged tonsils or adenoids
Congestion: difficulty breathing through your nose
Smoking: can increase inflammation and fluid retention
Alcohol or sedatives: can relax the throat muscles

The team at Austin Medical Group understand the important role sleep plays in your health and that quality sleep provides long-term benefits for your overall wellness.

Call or book an appointment online to learn more about sleep apnea and sleep risk assessments.