Sleep Apnea

If you frequently wake up with a sore throat, fatigue, and morning headaches, sleep apnea may be responsible for your symptoms. Volrick Morrison, DO, Katherine Martinez, APRN, FNP-BC, and the team at Atlantic Health Medical Associates in North Miami Beach and Coral Springs, Florida, offer extensive experience in diagnosing and treating all types of sleep apnea. Call the nearest clinic today or schedule an appointment online to receive a sleep apnea screening.

What is sleep apnea?

Sleep apnea is a disorder that causes pauses in breathing while you sleep. Individuals with sleep apnea can stop and start breathing hundreds of times throughout the night. You may not realize you have the disorder until it starts to affect your health. 

Without treatment, sleep apnea can deprive your body of the oxygen it needs to function properly. Early intervention is essential to protect yourself against the disorder.

Are there different types of sleep apnea?

The three most common types of sleep apnea include the following:

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA)

OSA, the most common type of sleep apnea, occurs when the muscles in the back of your throat relax, causing the tissues they support to collapse and block your airways. This condition prevents the healthy flow of air and obstructs your ability to breathe. 

Central sleep apnea (CSA)

CSA is a disorder that interferes with the brain signals that tell the muscles that control breathing to contract.

Complex sleep apnea

Complex sleep apnea is a rare condition that means you have OSA and CSA. 

At Atlantic Health Medical Associates, the team performs comprehensive testing to diagnose your specific type of sleep apnea.

What are the signs of sleep apnea?

The signs of sleep apnea might not be obvious at first. While symptoms can vary, common signs of sleep apnea include:

• Loud snoring
• Daytime fatigue
• Morning headaches
• Irritability
• Mood swings
• Sore throat
• Memory loss
• Obvious pauses in breath

It can be difficult to tell whether you have sleep apnea unless others notice your symptoms. Many people seek treatment when their family, roommate, or partner alerts them to their very loud snoring.

Understanding the warning signs of sleep apnea is essential to ensure you receive proper treatment. Without early intervention, sleep apnea can increase your risk of hypertension (high blood pressure), stroke, and cardiovascular disease.

Anybody can develop sleep apnea, but men, individuals over age 50, and adults carrying excess weight are at an increased risk.

What are the treatments for sleep apnea?

Atlantic Health Medical Associates takes an integrative approach to sleep apnea that may include a wide range of treatments, such as:

• Weight loss
• Nasal sprays
• Changing sleep positions
• Medication changes
• Dental devices

The most effective treatment for advanced sleep apnea is a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machine, which delivers a steady flow of air into your nose through a mask.

Call Atlantic Health Medical Associates today or schedule an appointment online to learn more about sleep apnea.