Sleep is an important part of all our lives. When your sleep is disrupted, even temporarily, it can cause a marked decrease in daytime performance. Having an untreated sleep disorder can lead to co-morbidites such as depression, high blood pressure, diabetes, stroke, and heart failure. It has also been shown to be linked to increased incidences of auto and industrial accidents.
There are many different sleep disorders that people can suffer from. Two of the most common are:
Obstructive Sleep Apnea or “OSA”
Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) is defined by a relaxation of your upper airway muscles, causing a partial or complete obstruction, which leads to snoring and an absence of breathing.
Central Sleep Apnea
Central Sleep Apnea (CSA) is defined by an absence of breathing, typically following a disconnect between the brain and the respiratory muscles. This is generally a more complex sleep disorder.
Obstructive Sleep Apnea
At Northern Respiratory, we specialize in treatment solutions for both OSA and CSA.
If you or someone you know is not sleeping well, the cause may be a sleep disorder. Talk to a doctor about the symptoms and ask about getting a sleep test or Polysomnogram (PSG). A PSG is a test ordered by a physician to diagnose and treat various sleep disorders.
The Epworth Sleepiness Scale is a tool used to screen for sleep disorders. If you or someone you know is struggling with quality sleep, complete this questionnaire below and discuss with your physician.
