What is Sleep Disordered Breathing?

Sleep disordered breathing is an issue marked by unusual breathing patterns when you sleep due to the tissues in your airway vibrating and collapsing.  Sleep disordered breathing refers usually to snoring and sleep apnea.

Sleep apnea, a type of sleep disordered breathing, occurs when you stop breathing for at least 10 seconds at a time while you sleep. You wake up just long enough to take a breath.

As you can imagine, sleep disordered breathing disrupts your sleep, multiple times every night. Night after night. And this affects your waking hours. You will feel extremely fatigued, irritable, with a loss of focus. This can also lead to strain on your organs and nervous system, increasing your chances of a heart attack or stroke.

How do you know if you have sleep disordered breathing? Common symptoms include:

• Extreme sleepiness
• Headaches
• Lack of concentration
• Weight gain
• Snoring

If you suspect you have sleep disordered breathing, make an appointment with your doctor. They can refer you to a sleep clinic where specialists can diagnose whether or not you have sleep disordered breathing, and then recommend the proper treatment.

In addition to making changes in your lifestyle, such as exercising more, losing weight, eating better, and reducing alcohol intake, you may be prescribed a CPAP machine. This device helps keep your airways open while you sleep, ensuring a deep, restful sleep every night.

If you suspect you have sleep disordered breathing, why suffer any longer? Great sleeps and productive days may be just around the corner.

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