Sleep apnea is a condition that can lead to periods of breathing cessation while you sleep. It can be related to obesity, enlarged tonsils and adenoids, excessive intake of alcohol or certain medications, and even acid reflux disease. Untreated sleep apnea can raise your risk for high blood pressure, heart disease, and daytime sleepiness. Here are some ways a sleep specialist Murrieta CA can help you manage your sleep apnea.
Sleep Study
Your sleep specialist can recommend a sleep study to evaluate your breathing patterns while you sleep. A sleep study is typically conducted in a sleep laboratory located in a hospital.
If your sleep study reveals the presence of apnea (breathing cessation) episodes, your doctor may recommend using a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machine. A CPAP machine blows air into your airway to keep it open so that an effective pattern of breathing can be established while you sleep.
Lifestyle Modification Recommendations
Sleep specialists in Murrieta, CA may also recommend certain lifestyle modifications to help manage your sleep apnea. For example, they may recommend that you lose weight because if you carry extra around your abdominal area, it can press on your diaphragm, impairing your breathing.
The sleep specialist may also recommend limiting your intake of alcohol before going to bed. Drinking can relax the back of your tongue causing it to slip back into your airway, leading to obstruction and exacerbating your sleep apnea. To schedule an appointment with a sleep specialist, call Integra Health PC today.