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Over 60 million people in the United States report sleep-related problems. Although two-thirds of that population have sleep problems serious enough to warrant medical attention, they remain largely undiagnosed. Most would significantly benefit from appropriate treatment.

Sleep problems can have serious and persistent consequences during sleep and wakefulness, diminishing the quality of life. The toll of sleep disorders is staggering, from motor vehicle and industrial accidents due to impaired alertness, to the effect on the partners of sleep apnea sufferers.

The Symptoms

Sleep disorders and their symptoms increase the risk for elevated blood pressure, myocardial infarction, arrhythmia, stroke, sexual dysfunction, memory loss, and driving and work-related accidents. Symptoms of sleep disorders include:

• Snoring
• Excessive daytime sleepiness
• Trouble falling or staying asleep
• Irritability
• Morning headaches
• Forgetfulness
• High blood pressure
• Pauses in breathing during the night
• Impotence
• Restlessness/Frequent awakenings
• Loss of muscle control associated with strong emotions

Ask your physician for a sleep consultation if you experience these symptoms, or contact us for a referral to a physician certified by the American Board of Sleep Medicine.

Sleep Apnea

Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) is the most common sleep-disordered breathing condition. OSA occurs when a person stops breathing during sleep because his or her airway collapses and prevents air from getting into the lungs. If you have OSA, you are likely to snore heavily, with interruptions due to pauses in breathing. These pauses may last ten seconds or more and may occur several hundred times per night. When the brain becomes aware of the drop in oxygen, it wakes the body up briefly until breathing is resumed. People who suffer from OSA are often very tired the following day, without remembering ever waking up.

It is estimated that 4 in 100 middle-aged men, and 2 in 100 middle-aged women have OSA. Symptoms include snoring, gasping during sleep, fatigue, weight change, and memory loss. Like all sleep disorders, OSA can have serious adverse effects on your well being if left untreated, including freeway accidents and heart problems. The most common treatment is CPAP therapy, which involves using a gentle flow of air pressure to keep the airway open during sleep. Other treatments include surgery, oral appliances and lifestyle modifications.