How your sleep specialist in Bradenton, FL, can help when you have sleep apnea
Have you been told you snore? If so, it could be more than just snoring. Frequent, loud snoring is also a warning sign of sleep apnea, a condition that can lead to serious consequences. Your sleep specialist is an expert at diagnosing and treating sleep apnea.
Dr. Jeremy McConnell at Florida Sleep Specialists provides a wide range of sleep medicine services, including sleep apnea treatment. He has two convenient office locations in Bradenton, FL, to help you.
When you have sleep apnea, it means that the tissue in the back of your throat relaxes and collapses during sleep, partially or completely blocking your airway. A blocked airway means your vital organs aren’t getting the oxygen flow they need. Sleep apnea increases your risk of:
- Developing Alzheimer’s disease
- Having a stroke
- Developing heart disease
- A shortened lifespan
So, how do you know if you have sleep apnea? These are some of the warning signs to pay attention to:
- Frequent, loud snoring
- Waking up with a gasping or choking sensation
- Morning headaches or sore throats
- Daytime grogginess and difficulty concentrating
- Sleep apnea treatment begins with a sleep study. The sleep study will determine whether you have sleep apnea or another sleep disorder.
If you have sleep apnea, your sleep specialist may recommend:
Wearing a CPAP, which is a device that provides a continuous flow of oxygen while you sleep. The device is hooked up to a facepiece which you wear during the night.
Wearing an oral mandibular advancement appliance, which is a small, portable dental appliance you wear while sleeping. The device keeps your lower jaw forward, maintaining an open airway during sleep.
To learn more about the warning signs and treatment of sleep apnea, call Dr. Jeremy McConnell at Florida Sleep Specialists. You can reach him in the Bradenton, FL, office by calling (941) 792-8383, so call today.
