What is sleep apnea?
Sleep apnea is a condition in which you stop breathing periodically while you are asleep. This can cause you to wake up frequently throughout the night even when you don't remember doing so. Sleep apnea can cause fatigue, but it can also lead to more serious conditions, such as high blood pressure and a higher risk of stroke or heart attacks.
What is enough sleep?
The recommendation for adults is seven to nine hours of sleep per night. Many adults, especially women, do not get the minimum amount. If you often feel fatigued during the day, you may not be getting enough sleep or are experiencing poor sleep quality.
What are the symptoms of sleep apnea?
Sleep apnea is a condition that is often associated with men, but women can have it as well. In men, snoring is one of the main symptoms, but women's symptoms can differ significantly. Insomnia, fatigue, a dry mouth on waking up in the morning, headaches, poor concentration and depression can all be symptoms of sleep apnea.
Can you have sleep apnea if you don't snore?
Snoring or even gasping and choking while sleeping are common ways that sleep apnea is diagnosed in men. However, you can have sleep apnea without these symptoms, and women in particular may have sleep apnea even though they don't snore.
How is sleep apnea diagnosed?
Sleep issues can indicate a number of different conditions, and sleep apnea is only one of them. The only way to diagnose sleep apnea is with a sleep test. At HerKare, we can perform a simple, convenient take-home sleep test that you take in the comfort of your own bed. This test will definitively tell our board-certified sleep doctor the type and severity of sleep apnea you suffer.
How is sleep apnea treated?
If we determine after a home sleep test that you have sleep apnea, we will then talk to you about the options for sleep apnea management. Some people are able to control their sleep apnea through lifestyle changes. This includes weight loss, exercise and eating healthily. However, in some cases, this is not sufficient to solve the issue and help you get the sleep you need. You may need a CPAP device to treat your sleep apnea. The CPAP device helps you to sleep by keeping your airway open with air pressure delivered through a small mask on your face. Your CPAP device will transmit your sleep data to our board-certified sleep doctor while you sleep which will help with making any needed adjustments. It may take a few adjustments before you are sleeping comfortably with the CPAP device.