OSA is Risky Business Have You Been Tested?
If your partner has been keeping you up at night because of snoring and gasping for breath, it’s time to call your primary care physician or a dentist who is licensed to provide oral appliance therapy for OSA.
Dr. Judy Sturm can supply you with the patented sleep system MEDIByte™ made by BRAEBON to help diagnose obstructive sleep apnea.
Dr. Sturm uses the patented sleep recorder system from BRAEBON, which is touted as the world’s smallest diagnostic sleeping system to help determine if you are suffering from obstructive sleep apnea.
What is Obstructive Sleep Apnea?
Also called OSA, obstructive sleep apnea is a condition that causes people to wake abruptly while sleeping. While people who snore don’t always have OSA, it is important that a doctor or a certified oral appliance specialist in Yorkville check it out.
According to oral appliance therapy specialist Dr. Judy Sturm, Obstructive Sleep Apnea occurs when your brain sends signals to your throat muscles waking you up and forcing you to breathe again.
During sleep apnea episodes, this could be as many as 30 per hour, the back of the throat relaxes. So much so that the brain has to wake up the person to get him or her to breathe again.
While no one knows for sure why this happens, there are some people who are more at risk than others are when it comes to obstructive sleep apnea.
People in the High Risk Category for OSA
While the biggest factor seems to be excess body weight, OSA occurs in people who are thin as well.
As well as excess body weight, symptoms that you may have obstructive sleep apnea include:
Larger than Average Neck Size-Women with necks larger than 16” and men with necks larger than 17” are in the high-risk category for OSA.
Middle Age-While obstructive sleep apnea does occur in children, especially those with adenoids and tonsils, it is more common in people over 50.
Being a Man-Women have issues with OSA, often during menopause and post menopause, but men are twice as likely to suffer from obstructive sleep apnea.
Hypertension-High blood pressure is a major risk for people suffering from obstructive sleep apnea.
Family History of OSA-OSA sufferers often inherit the condition. If you have a family member that is in the high-risk category, so are you. In other words, if you have obesity and other issues, you are more likely to suffer from obstructive sleep apnea.
Medications-Both over the counter and prescription medications could be causing OSA. Talk to your doctor if you suspect one of your medications is the issue.
OSA Signs and Symptoms
According to Dr. Judy Sturm & Associates snoring is the most common sign of obstructive sleep apnea. However, as mentioned above, not all snorers have sleep apnea.
Snoring is more than likely a sign of OSA if it is followed by witnessed cessations in breath and gasping or choking.
Other symptoms include:
Breathing Cessation
Daytime Sleepiness
Fatigue
Not Feeling Refreshed after a Good Sleep
Insomnia
Morning Neck and Headaches
Waking up Multiple Times to Use the Bathroom
Memory Loss
Moodiness
Lack of Libido
If you believe you could be suffering from obstructive sleep apnea, call your doctor or Dr. Judy Sturm & Associates immediately. OSA could lead to more serious conditions including heart problems and even stroke.
If you have been diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnea and are looking for an alternative to CPAP therapy, call and schedule a no obligation oral appliance therapy consultation with Dr. Judy Sturm & Associates. Dr. Judy Sturm is passionate about oral appliance therapy for OSA and can help you sleep better while living a healthier life. Call for a consultation today.
