Sleep Apnea And Increased Risk Of Heart Disease

At Center for TMJ & Sleep Solutions NW, we are passionate about diagnosing and treating patients who suffer from sleep apnea. Unfortunately, approximately 80% of sleep apnea cases remain undiagnosed. Not only is this disheartening because adults are not getting the sleep they need and deserve, but these individuals are also more likely to experience serious health issues. One health issue that can be the result of untreated sleep apnea is cardiovascular disease. Cardiovascular disease is the broad term for anyone who experiences any disease that affects the heart or blood vessels.

Summer Doesn’t Have To Be Dreadful When You Have Sleep Apnea

Do you suffer from sleep apnea and are not looking forward to the summer? Summer is a time many people enjoy. Warm temperatures, long summer days, traveling, and outdoor cookouts where you are free to indulge are some of the perks of summer. However, if you experience sleep apnea, you might not be so excited to experience what others love about the summer. We want to share some tips to help you enjoy the summer while still keeping your sleep apnea symptoms at bay. Read on to learn more about these tips.

Alcohol Aggravates Sleep Apnea Symptoms

You probably know that drinking alcohol has an effect on your quality of sleep, but did you know that for sleep apnea patients, it can make symptoms worse? It’s been shown that moderate and heavy drinking can trigger obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), even in people who haven’t yet been diagnosed with the sleep disorder. What can you do about your alcohol consumption and sleep apnea?

Do You Recognize These Symptoms?

Does your bed partner keep poking you at night to get you to stop snoring? Do you wake up feeling like you haven’t slept a wink? Are you so tired during the day that it’s causing problems at work or home? If these scenarios sound familiar to you, then your snoring and sleepiness may be more serious than you think. Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is the most common form of sleep apnea disorder. OSA occurs when your airway becomes blocked, causing shallow breathing or stopping breathing while asleep. You wake up gasping for air, sometimes hundreds of times during the night.