Feeling Tired? You Might be Suffering From Sleep Apnea

One of the biggest signs of suffering from sleep apnea is feeling tired in the middle of the day. If you have sleep apnea, you may be waking up numerous times throughout the night, depriving you of the sleep you need. At the moment, it’s estimated that over a quarter of the American population is not getting the sleep they need.

For most adults, seven to nine hours of sleep per night is plenty of time for the body to relax and repair itself. Unfortunately, obstructive sleep apnea can deprive you of this important rest and make you feel tired throughout the day. Some of the most common sleep apnea health problems include:

• Obesity
  
• Increased Risk of Stroke
  
• High Blood Pressure
  
• Impotence
  
• Weight Gain
  

Some people feel so exhausted during the day that they feel the need to take numerous naps just to make it through work or other activities. One of the ways you can take care of your sleep apnea symptoms is by speaking with an experienced sleep apnea dentist.

If you are suffering from lack of sleep due to obstructive sleep apnea and you are ready to fix things, please schedule a full sleep apnea evaluation with Dr. Ira Shapira, Gurnee Illinois dentist.

Sleep Apnea Now Directly Linked to High BMI

A recent study has now shown that length and quality of sleep is linked directly to a person’s Body Mass Index (BMI). The study found that on average, people sleeping less than normal had a BMI index about 4 points higher than a “normal” sleeper.

In addition to these findings, the study also found that “short sleepers” have a harder time falling asleep in general. Despite sleeping less, short sleepers tended to also be about 25% more active than long sleepers during the day and spent almost 1,000 more calories during the day.

This is interesting because it shows that a long, restful night sleep can be even more beneficial than we once thought. People who sleep longer and more soundly use fewer calories but tend to have a lower BMI.

People suffering from sleep apnea can wake up many times during the night because their body needs oxygen. These countless repetitions of waking up momentarily and going back to sleep can cause many other Sleep Apnea Dangers in addition to a higher BMI.

If you or your spouse is suffering from snoring or sleep apnea and are ready to correct the problem, please contact Gurnee, Illinois sleep apnea dentist, Dr. Ira Shapira, to find out the best way to treat your obstructive sleep apnea.

Continuous Positive Airway Pressure: What is it?

Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) has been the main treatment modality for patients suffering with the very dangerous condition known as sleep apnea. The CPAP machine works by using pressure to send air flowing through the nasal passages, keeping the throat from collapsing during sleep-the main reason why individuals with sleep apnea stop breathing periodically throughout the night. CPAP, however, is uncomfortable and many people do not use CPAP because of the inconvenience and bulkiness of the apparatus.

Sleep apnea must be treated; if it is not, it can lead to many serious medical problems including:

• Fatigue
• Depression
• High blood pressure
• Diabetes
• Sore throat
• Dry mouth
• Excessive daytime drowsiness
• Poor concentration
• Short-term memory problems
• Anxiety
• Mood swings
• Impotence
• Cognitive deterioration

Most of us are aware that a good night's sleep is essential. REM Sleep, the time during sleep when we dream, contributes to overall health and proper body function. But during a sleep apnea event, the individual leaves REM sleep many times throughout the night to restart his or her breathing. The result is a lack of deeply restful sleep that seriously affects the body's ability to function.

There are three different types of CPAP machines:

• CPAP: delivers one continuous air pressure
• APAP: adjusts to your need for oxygen by starting out at low pressure, senses raising the pressure during a sleep apnea event
• BiPAP: uses a higher pressure when you inhale and lower pressure when you exhale

To learn more about snoring and sleep apnea, please contact sleep apnea specialist, Dr. Ira L. Shapira, in Gurnee, Illinois today to schedule your initial consultation.