Sleep apnea is a serious sleep disorder which occurs when the airways become obstructed, interrupting regular breathing during sleep. When this happens, a person may stop breathing for a few seconds, causing them to choke or gasp for breath. In severe cases of sleep apnea, this interruption in breathing can last for a minute or more. These breathing interruptions can occur between 5 to 30 times an hour, which means that people with sleep apnea are unable to have a good night’s sleep. When you visit our Scottsdale practice for sleep apnea treatment, Dr. Diana Batoon will use her years of expertise to identify the root cause of your problem and develop the proper treatment plan for your needs.

SLEEP APNEA SYMPTOMS

There are many symptoms of sleep apnea that may manifest themselves while you are asleep or awake.

When you are asleep, family members or loved ones may notice the following:

• Loud or Chronic Snoring
• Choking or Gasping
• Frequently Waking

During waking hours, you may notice

• Excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS)
• Headaches in the morning
• Persistent sore throat or dry throat
• Changes in mood
• Poor memory
• Slower reaction time

CAUSES OF SLEEP APNEA

There are many different causes of sleep apnea, and the root cause will depend on the type of sleep apnea that you suffer from. The three types of sleep apnea are:

• Obstructive sleep apnea or OSA (most common form)
• Central sleep apnea or CSA (rarest form)
• Complex sleep apnea (combination of the above types)

When diagnosing sleep apnea at AZ Center for Breathing & Sleep Wellness, we will figure out what exactly is the cause of your sleep disorder.

RISK FACTORS FOR SLEEP APNEA

Though sleep apnea has been known to affect people of both genders and of all ages, there are several factors that may make you more at-risk. These risk factors include:

• Being male
• Being obese or overweight
• Being older than 40
• Having a family history of sleep apnea
• Having large soft tissues in the mouth (e.g. tonsils, tongue, adenoids)
• Having a small jawbone
• Having a very thick neck
• Having a deviated septum and other nasal cavity or sinus issues
• Having gastro esophageal reflux disease (GERD)

DANGERS OF SLEEP APNEA

There are many dangers of sleep apnea related to your energy level, cognitive abilities, memory, and mood. There is also research that shows that sleep apnea can result in the following serious health problems if left untreated:

• Clinical depression
• Diabetes
• Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
• Stroke
• High blood pressure
• Heart problems