Sleep Disorders

Sleep disorders can impair your health and bodily functions and lower your overall quality of life. If you struggle with symptoms of a sleep disorder, Frederick Tackey, MD, at the Pulmonology & Sleep Center in Boynton Beach and Delray Beach, Florida, offers compassionate, effective treatment. To manage your sleep disorder, book an appointment by phone or online today.

Does snoring indicate a sleep disorder?

Most people snore from time to time. As air passes through the relaxed tissues of your throat, it emits a harsh, hoarse sound known as snoring. 

There are many different factors that can contribute to snoring: 

• Allergies
• Cold
• Alcohol consumption

Infrequent snoring is typically no cause for alarm. When snoring becomes chronic or doesn’t seem to go away, an underlying sleep disorder may be the cause. In many cases, snoring is a symptom of obstructive sleep apnea. 

What is obstructive sleep apnea?

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a common sleep disorder that causes your breathing to repeatedly stop and restart while you sleep. 

When you fall asleep, the tissues in your throat relax and become more narrow. If you have sleep apnea, you aren’t able to get enough oxygen as you sleep. 

When your brain senses the lack of oxygen, it attempts to wake you up, so you can reopen your airway. These episodes can happen so quickly that many people don’t remember being awakened during the night. 

In addition to snoring, the symptoms of sleep apnea include:

• Gasping for while asleep
• Headaches in the morning
• Fatigue
• Lack of focus
• Daytime sleepiness

The sudden drops in oxygen caused by sleep apnea put extra stress on your cardiovascular system. If left untreated, sleep apnea can increase your risk for heart attack, stroke, and abnormal heartbeats. 

Certain factors can increase your risk of developing obstructive sleep apnea like smoking, excess body weight, and having naturally narrow airways. 

What are some other sleep disorders?

Another type of sleep apnea is central sleep apnea. Central sleep apnea occurs when the brain fails to control your breathing muscles while you sleep. Central sleep apnea is less common but can result in the same complications with your cardiovascular health. 

In addition to sleep apnea, the Pulmonology & Sleep Center provides treatment for a number of sleep disorders, including:

• Insomnia
• Narcolepsy
• Restless legs syndrome

Sleep disorders can keep you from getting the rest you need to function at your best. If you experience issues with your sleep health, the Pulmonology & Sleep Center can help you find the right treatment for your condition. 

What treatments are available?

Sleep disorder treatments include:

• Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy for sleep apnea
• Oral appliances for sleep apnea and other sleep disorders
• Medication

In some cases, lifestyle changes like weight loss or getting regular exercise can improve symptoms of sleep disorders. If your condition doesn’t respond to conservative treatment, you may require surgery to remove obstructions or improve the alignment of your airways. 

To speak with a specialist about your sleep disorder, call the Pulmonology & Sleep Center or book an appointment online today.