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SLEEP APNEA

Sleep Apnea

Sleep apnea is a potentially serious sleep disorder in which breathing repeatedly stops and starts. You may have sleep apnea if you snore loudly and you feel tired even after a full night's sleep?

Sleep apnea occurs in two main types: obstructive sleep apnea, the more common form that occurs when throat muscles relax, and central sleep apnea, which occurs when your brain doesn't send proper signals to the muscles that control breathing. Additionally, some people have complex sleep apnea, which is a combination of both.

If you think you might have sleep apnea, see your doctor. Treatment is necessary to avoid heart problems and other complications.

Symptoms

The signs and symptoms of obstructive and central sleep apneas overlap, sometimes making the type of sleep apnea more difficult to determine. The most common signs and symptoms of obstructive and central sleep apneas include:

Excessive daytime sleepiness (hypersomnia)

Loud snoring, which is usually more prominent in obstructive sleep apnea

Observed episodes of breathing cessation during sleep

Abrupt awakenings accompanied by shortness of breath, which more likely indicates central sleep apnea

Awakening with a dry mouth or sore throat

Morning headache

Difficulty staying asleep (insomnia)

When to see a doctor

Consult a medical professional if you experience, or if your partner observes, the following:

Snoring loud enough to disturb the sleep of others or yourself

Shortness of breath that awakens you from sleep

Intermittent pauses in your breathing during sleep

Excessive daytime drowsiness, which may cause you to fall asleep while you're working, watching television or even driving

Many people don't think of snoring as a sign of something potentially serious, and not everyone who has sleep apnea snores. But be sure to talk to your doctor if you experience loud snoring, especially snoring that's punctuated by periods of silence.

Ask your doctor about any sleep problem that leaves you chronically fatigued, sleepy and irritable. Excessive daytime drowsiness (hypersomnia) may be due to other disorders, such as narcolepsy.

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Causes | Complications | Treatments | CPAP/BiPAP

Office Locations

BEL AIR OFFICE
Comfort Care at Upper Chesapeake Hospital
501 Upper Chesapeake Drive
Pavillion II Suite 512
Bel Air, MD 21014
443-643-3214
443-643-3214

TOWSON OFFICES
(Exit 27A off of 695)
7801 York Road
Suite 336
Towson, MD 21204
P: 410-828-0947
F: 410-828-8967

Comfort Care Boutique at St. Josephs Hospital
7501 Osler Dr Suite GR 11
Towson MD 21204
410-337-7117
410-337-2702 FAX

EASTPOINT OFFICE
(Exit 39 off of 695)
1105 North Point Blvd
Suite 325
Baltimore, MD 21224
P: 410-282-9960
F: 410-282-9661

ANNAPOLIS OFFICE
(Riva Road Exit off of 665)
2568 Riva Rd
Annapolis Md 21401

CATONSVILLE OFFICE
(Exit 13 off of 695)
405 Frederick Rd Suite 158A
Catonsville MD 21228
410-788-1881
410-788-1882 FAX

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