5 Ways to Address Sleep-Disordered Breathing

It may be difficult to know if you're experiencing snoring or something more serious, such as sleep apnea.

Here are five steps to take when it comes to sleep-disordered breathing:

1. Know the signs of sleep apnea.

Obstructive sleep apnea, or OSA, occurs when the air passage in the back of the throat becomes narrowed during sleep. OSA should be considered in anyone who snores (or appears to stop breathing during sleep) and has added risk factors such as: weight gain, older age, alcohol or sedation medication intake, smoking, menopause, and difficulty breathing through the nose.

2. Maintain a healthy lifestyle.

While some risk factors that lead to OSA are not reversible (such as aging, genetic factors, or airway anatomy), there are a number of modifiable factors that can be addressed. Optimizing sleep habits, a healthy diet, exercise, and maintaining ideal body weight may be helpful in improving OSA.

3. Take caution and avoid risky activities.

Sleep-related disruptions from OSA may also lead to non-restful sleep, which may result in daytime sleepiness, fatigue, motor vehicle accidents, and a variety of other neurocognitive issues. Alcohol and sedating medications should be avoided close to bedtime, and operating machinery or a motor vehicle should be avoided when drowsy.

4. Reach out to your PCP and/or a sleep specialist.

A board-certified sleep specialist is best qualified to assess someone in whom OSA is a consideration. A primary care physician should also be able to perform a basic assessment for OSA. 

5. Ask your physician about all available treatment options.

There are an increasing number of effective treatments for OSA, including CPAP, dental appliances, and surgery. A number of medications for OSA are also on the horizon.

If you have any questions about sleep health or need help finding a primary care physician, contact us anytime via your Summus Dashboard.