What is Sleep Apnea?
Sleep Apnea is a serious sleep disorder. What occurs is your breathing stops and starts, more than average and what is considered safe, thus preventing you from passing through the stages of sleep and obtaining quality deep sleep.
There are two primary forms of Sleep Apnea.
Obstructive Sleep Apnea
With Obstructive Sleep Apnea the relaxing of your throat muscles is the cause. This relaxation occurs intermittently and partial or completely blocks your airways during sleep. Obstructive Sleep Apnea is the most common type of Sleep Apnea
Central Sleep Apnea
While less common than Obstructive Sleep Apnea, Central Sleep Apnea is just as serious. With Central Sleep Apnea your brain actually fails to send the signals that control your breathing muscles. Central Sleep Apnea is sometimes induced by external factors such as being at a higher than normal altitude. In comparison it can also be caused by other serious internal inducers such as strokes and heart conditions.
Weight and Sleep Apnea
Your body weight can play a role in your susceptibility to Sleep Apnea. Studies have concluded that people with large or thick necks are more prone to Sleep Apnea in general.
How do I deal with Sleeping Problems
Ocala Lung and Critical Care can conduct testing for various Sleep Apnea symptoms through a Polysomnography sleep study (called a Baseline study). Once the results of this sleep study is completed, if abnormal breathing patterns are recorded a CPAP Sleep Study is ordered to determine the proper treatment for the condition (see Common Solutions).
We conduct these sleep studies at Sleep Center of Ocala (East Lab) or Sleep Center of Ocala (West Lab).
If you are closer to The Villages then your sleep study would be conducted at the Villages Sleep Center
Common Solution for Sleep Apnea
One common solution for Sleep Apnea is the prescription of a CPAP machine.
CPAP machines provide Continuous Positive Air Pressure. A CPAP is a common and effective, non-invasive and minimally obtrusive, solution for Sleep Apnea. Many patients report they are finally able to reach deep sleep and their quality of life and relationships improve as well.