Sleep Apnea
Sleep apnea is characterized by repeated episodes of stopped breathing during asleep.
Obstructive sleep apnea is the most common type. It is due to collapse of the upper airway and is often associated with snoring.
Each episode causes an arousal from sleep, which can happen hundreds of times a night without the patient knowing it.
Sleep apnea can reduce the blood oxygen level and make the heart work much harder.
Sleep apnea also increases the risk of:
- Abnormal heart rhythms, such as atrial fibrillation (Afib)
- Heart attack
- Diabetes
- Obesity
- Stroke
Symptoms
Signs of sleep apnea include:
- Daytime sleepiness
- Fatigue
- Difficulty concentrating
- Mental fog
- Irritability
- Morning headaches
- Increased blood pressure
- Hyperactivity (in children)
Treatment
Treatment options for sleep apnea include:
- Airway muscle stimulation (Inspire)
- CPAP
- Oral appliances
- Surgery
- Other alternatives
Get Started
To see a sleep specialist, contact your physician and ask for a referral to OSF Sleep.
Once we have received the referral, we will contact you to schedule an appointment.