Licensed Clinical Social Worker LCSW
Specialized in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia with particular expertise in treating Insomnia with co-occuring PTSD, Depression, Anxiety Disorder, or Chronic Pain.
Sleep apnea is a serious sleep disorder where breathing repeatedly stops and starts during sleep, leading to disrupted sleep and decreased oxygen levels in the blood.
The health risks associated with sleep apnea are significant and include high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, diabetes, and depression. Additionally, untreated sleep apnea can cause severe daytime fatigue, increasing the risk of accidents and impairing overall quality of life. It is essential to seek medical treatment to manage this condition effectively.
This is the most common type. It happens when the muscles in the back of your throat relax too much, causing a blockage in your airway.
This type occurs when your brain doesn’t send the right signals to the muscles that control your breathing.
Also known as treatment-emergent central sleep apnea, this occurs when someone has both obstructive and central sleep apnea.
Especially in obstructive sleep apnea, loud snoring is common.
You may wake up suddenly with a sensation of choking or gasping.
Your partner may notice pauses in your breathing during sleep.
Irritability
Mood changes or feeling irritable for no obvious reason.
Feeling extremely tired during the day, no matter how long you slept.
Frequent headaches in the morning can be a sign of disrupted sleep.
Trouble focusing or memory problems during the day.
Are you ready to finally get better sleep?
Take the first step and fill out our contact form today.
Obesity contributes to sleep apnea primarily through the accumulation of excess fat around the neck and throat, which can narrow and obstruct the airway during sleep. This added pressure makes it more difficult for the airway to remain open, leading to the breathing interruptions characteristic of obstructive sleep apnea. Additionally, fat deposits around the abdomen can reduce lung volume and impair the respiratory system's function, further exacerbating breathing difficulties. Obesity also increases the risk of other health conditions, such as reduced muscle tone and inflammation, which can contribute to airway obstruction and worsen sleep apnea symptom.
Neck circumference impacts sleep apnea because a larger neck can indicate excess fat deposits around the throat, which can narrow the airway and increase the risk of airway obstruction during sleep. Generally, a neck circumference greater than 17 inches in men and 16 inches in women is associated with a higher likelihood of obstructive sleep apnea. The added bulk around the neck can apply pressure on the airway, making it more prone to collapse during the relaxation of muscles that occurs in sleep. This restriction of the airway can lead to the repeated breathing interruptions that characterize sleep apnea
Aging can contribute to sleep apnea through several factors:
Overall, the combination of these factors can make older adults more susceptible to sleep apnea or worsen existing symptoms. It's essential for older individuals to be aware of the signs and seek appropriate medical evaluation and treatment if needed.
Genetics and family history play a significant role in sleep apnea, with studies indicating a hereditary component to the condition. Individuals with a family history of sleep apnea are more likely to develop it themselves, suggesting genetic predispositions. These genetic factors can influence the size and shape of the airway, as well as the function of surrounding muscles and tissues, affecting susceptibility to airway collapse or obstruction during sleep. Additionally, shared environmental and lifestyle factors within families, such as obesity or smoking, can further contribute to the risk of sleep apnea. Overall, recognizing a family history can be crucial in understanding individual risk factors and guiding early intervention and treatment strategies.
Smoking aggravates sleep apnea by causing inflammation and swelling in the upper airway, which can lead to increased airway obstruction during sleep. The harmful chemicals in tobacco smoke irritate the respiratory tract, contributing to mucus production and reducing muscle tone in the throat. This makes it more likely for the airway to collapse or become blocked, worsening the breathing interruptions characteristic of sleep apnea. Additionally, smoking can lead to chronic respiratory conditions and reduced lung function, further complicating the ability to breathe effectively during sleep.
Alcohol can cause or exacerbate sleep apnea by relaxing the muscles in the throat, leading to a higher likelihood of airway obstruction during sleep. When the throat muscles relax too much, the airway can collapse, causing breathing interruptions characteristic of obstructive sleep apnea. Additionally, alcohol affects the brain's respiratory control centers, impairing the body's ability to respond to and correct these breathing interruptions. This combination of muscle relaxation and impaired respiratory response increases both the frequency and severity of sleep apnea episodes.
Chronic congestion can cause sleep apnea by narrowing the nasal passages, making it more difficult to breathe through the nose. When the nasal passages are blocked or swollen due to congestion, individuals are more likely to breathe through their mouths, which can increase the likelihood of airway collapse during sleep. Additionally, nasal congestion can lead to increased negative pressure in the airway during inhalation, further promoting airway obstruction. This combination of factors can disrupt normal breathing patterns and exacerbate the breathing interruptions characteristic of sleep apnea.
To diagnose sleep apnea, a doctor may recommend the following:
A sleep study is conducted in a sleep lab, this study monitors your heart, lung, and brain activity, breathing patterns, and movements while you sleep. Learn more about sleep studies here.
In some cases, your doctor may provide a simplified test to use at home.
If left untreated, sleep apnea can lead to serious health problems, including high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, diabetes, and depression. It can also cause daytime fatigue, increasing the risk of accidents.
If you suspect you might have sleep apnea or are struggling with poor sleep quality, don’t wait. Contact True Sleep Therapy today to schedule a consultation. Elsbeth is dedicated to treating sleep disorders, helping you achieve restful, rejuvenating sleep. Take the first step towards better health and improved well-being. Contact Elsbeth today!
Sleep apnea is a serious sleep disorder where breathing repeatedly stops and starts during sleep, leading to disrupted sleep and decreased oxygen levels in the blood.
The health risks associated with sleep apnea are significant and include high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, diabetes, and depression. Additionally, untreated sleep apnea can cause severe daytime fatigue, increasing the risk of accidents and impairing overall quality of life. It is essential to seek medical treatment to manage this condition effectively.
This is the most common type. It happens when the muscles in the back of your throat relax too much, causing a blockage in your airway.
This type occurs when your brain doesn’t send the right signals to the muscles that control your breathing.
Also known as treatment-emergent central sleep apnea, this occurs when someone has both obstructive and central sleep apnea.
Especially in obstructive sleep apnea, loud snoring is common.
You may wake up suddenly with a sensation of choking or gasping.
Your partner may notice pauses in your breathing during sleep.
Irritability
Mood changes or feeling irritable for no obvious reason.
Feeling extremely tired during the day, no matter how long you slept.
Frequent headaches in the morning can be a sign of disrupted sleep.
Trouble focusing or memory problems during the day.
Are you ready to finally get better sleep?
Take the first step and fill out our contact form today.
Obesity contributes to sleep apnea primarily through the accumulation of excess fat around the neck and throat, which can narrow and obstruct the airway during sleep. This added pressure makes it more difficult for the airway to remain open, leading to the breathing interruptions characteristic of obstructive sleep apnea. Additionally, fat deposits around the abdomen can reduce lung volume and impair the respiratory system's function, further exacerbating breathing difficulties. Obesity also increases the risk of other health conditions, such as reduced muscle tone and inflammation, which can contribute to airway obstruction and worsen sleep apnea symptom.
Neck circumference impacts sleep apnea because a larger neck can indicate excess fat deposits around the throat, which can narrow the airway and increase the risk of airway obstruction during sleep. Generally, a neck circumference greater than 17 inches in men and 16 inches in women is associated with a higher likelihood of obstructive sleep apnea. The added bulk around the neck can apply pressure on the airway, making it more prone to collapse during the relaxation of muscles that occurs in sleep. This restriction of the airway can lead to the repeated breathing interruptions that characterize sleep apnea
Aging can contribute to sleep apnea through several factors:
Overall, the combination of these factors can make older adults more susceptible to sleep apnea or worsen existing symptoms. It's essential for older individuals to be aware of the signs and seek appropriate medical evaluation and treatment if needed.
Genetics and family history play a significant role in sleep apnea, with studies indicating a hereditary component to the condition. Individuals with a family history of sleep apnea are more likely to develop it themselves, suggesting genetic predispositions. These genetic factors can influence the size and shape of the airway, as well as the function of surrounding muscles and tissues, affecting susceptibility to airway collapse or obstruction during sleep. Additionally, shared environmental and lifestyle factors within families, such as obesity or smoking, can further contribute to the risk of sleep apnea. Overall, recognizing a family history can be crucial in understanding individual risk factors and guiding early intervention and treatment strategies.
Smoking aggravates sleep apnea by causing inflammation and swelling in the upper airway, which can lead to increased airway obstruction during sleep. The harmful chemicals in tobacco smoke irritate the respiratory tract, contributing to mucus production and reducing muscle tone in the throat. This makes it more likely for the airway to collapse or become blocked, worsening the breathing interruptions characteristic of sleep apnea. Additionally, smoking can lead to chronic respiratory conditions and reduced lung function, further complicating the ability to breathe effectively during sleep.
Alcohol can cause or exacerbate sleep apnea by relaxing the muscles in the throat, leading to a higher likelihood of airway obstruction during sleep. When the throat muscles relax too much, the airway can collapse, causing breathing interruptions characteristic of obstructive sleep apnea. Additionally, alcohol affects the brain's respiratory control centers, impairing the body's ability to respond to and correct these breathing interruptions. This combination of muscle relaxation and impaired respiratory response increases both the frequency and severity of sleep apnea episodes.
Chronic congestion can cause sleep apnea by narrowing the nasal passages, making it more difficult to breathe through the nose. When the nasal passages are blocked or swollen due to congestion, individuals are more likely to breathe through their mouths, which can increase the likelihood of airway collapse during sleep. Additionally, nasal congestion can lead to increased negative pressure in the airway during inhalation, further promoting airway obstruction. This combination of factors can disrupt normal breathing patterns and exacerbate the breathing interruptions characteristic of sleep apnea.
To diagnose sleep apnea, a doctor may recommend the following:
A sleep study is conducted in a sleep lab, this study monitors your heart, lung, and brain activity, breathing patterns, and movements while you sleep. Learn more about sleep studies here.
In some cases, your doctor may provide a simplified test to use at home.
If left untreated, sleep apnea can lead to serious health problems, including high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, diabetes, and depression. It can also cause daytime fatigue, increasing the risk of accidents.
If you suspect you might have sleep apnea or are struggling with poor sleep quality, don’t wait. Contact True Sleep Therapy today to schedule a consultation. Elsbeth is dedicated to treating sleep disorders, helping you achieve restful, rejuvenating sleep. Take the first step towards better health and improved well-being. Contact Elsbeth today!
True Sleep Therapy is all about transforming your relationship with sleep so that you can regain confidence in your body’s innate, natural ability to rest. It fills me with great joy and gratitude to partner with my clients and to play in their life-changing sleep journey.
True Sleep is possible. You deserve it. I’d love to help you discover the promise of True Sleep.
