Sleep apnea is characterized by temporary pauses in breathing during sleep. As this eMedTV page explains, it's a serious disorder that can lead to daytime drowsiness, accidents, and medical problems. This page provides an overview of sleep apnea.
The three types of sleep apnea are: obstructive sleep apnea, central sleep apnea, and mixed sleep apnea. This eMedTV Web page outlines these types of sleep apnea and explains their symptoms, causes, and risk factors.
A blocked throat (due to relaxation of soft tissue in the throat) is the most common sleep apnea cause. This eMedTV page describes this cause in detail and also lists other causes of sleep apnea, such as hypothyroidism.
Loud snoring, daytime sleepiness, and memory problems are common sleep apnea symptoms. This page of the eMedTV Web site focuses on the different symptoms of sleep apnea, including irritability, falling asleep while driving, and more.
A common sleep recording test, called a polysomnogram, is often used when making a sleep apnea diagnosis. This eMedTV Web page discusses this test and lists other factors that can help your doctor make a sleep apnea diagnosis.
As this eMedTV article explains, sleep apnea treatment can include options such as lifestyle changes and continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP). This article lists the different types of sleep apnea treatment and explains how each one works.
Tracheostomy and tonsil/adenoid removal are different types of sleep apnea surgery. This eMedTV resource describes the possible types of surgery for sleep apnea; the type of surgery recommended will depend on the cause of the patient's sleep apnea.
The effects of sleep apnea can include being tired during the day and having difficulty concentrating. This eMedTV article provides an overview of several possible effects of sleep apnea, such as depression and sexual dysfunction.
People living with sleep apnea often don't know that they have it. As this eMedTV article explains, however, sleep apnea puts people at risk for accidents and medical problems. This page explains how to get help if you are living with this condition.
A frequently asked question about sleep apnea is, "I was diagnosed with sleep apnea. What should I do?" This eMedTV page answers several basic sleep apnea questions about the effects, diagnosis, and treatment of this condition.
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