How to Get Treatment for Central Sleep Apnea in Jupiter

You’ve been going to bed earlier, shutting off all electronics an hour before you lay down, and even wearing an eye mask to block out light, but still…you just can’t seem to get enough sleep. You’re constantly exhausted during the day, and you’re really starting to worry about it. For many people, this kind of problem is due to sleep apnea, the second most common sleep disorder in the world. There are actually two types of sleep apnea, and today, we’re going to focus on the one that fewer people know about: central sleep apnea. Below, you’ll learn its causes, symptoms, and what you should do if you believe central sleep apnea in Jupiter is affecting your daily life.

What is Central Sleep Apnea?

Central sleep apnea is characterized by short lapses in breathing during sleep which occur because the brain stops sending the body the proper signals to breathe. It is quite different from obstructive sleep apnea (the more common type), in which breathing is halted by an upper airway obstruction.

These constant interruptions in oxygen flow prevent a person from getting the deep, restful sleep that they need to feel awake the next day. They are also extremely taxing on the body and lead to highly elevated blood pressure that can remain even once breathing is fully restored.

What are the Symptoms of Central Sleep Apnea?

A person suffering from central sleep apnea may experience:

• Chronic daily exhaustion despite getting 7-9 hours of sleep
• Suddenly waking up gasping for air or feeling out of breath
• Difficulty staying asleep
• Loud snoring every night
• Morning headaches
• Focus and memory problems
• Mood changes and depression

What Causes Central Sleep Apnea?

Central sleep apnea can be brought on by a number of factors that affect the ability of the brain to signal the body:

• Medication: Taking certain medications before going to bed, particularly opioids, can cause breathing to become irregular or temporarily stop altogether.
• Cheyne–Stokes Breathing: This is usually associated with people who have congestive heart failure or have experienced a stroke. The breathing pattern gradually increases and decreases, which can lead to a total lack of airflow, or central sleep apnea.
• Sleeping at High Altitude: The breathing pattern can also be thrown off if a person is sleeping at a very high altitude due to the lack of oxygen in the air.
• Medical Conditions: Several neurological conditions can also cause central sleep apnea-type symptoms.

How to Get Treatment

If you believe that you may be struggling with central sleep apnea, you should contact your family doctor and describe your symptoms. From there, they will likely refer you to a sleep doctor in order to get a proper diagnosis. If it turns out that you do indeed have central sleep apnea, your doctors can work with you to find the right treatment, whether that’s CPAP therapy, oral appliance therapy, or a combination of the two.

In the end, if you’re not getting enough sleep on a regular basis, your overall health is seriously in jeopardy, not to mention your quality of life. Fortunately, getting sleep apnea treatment in Jupiter is easier than ever these days– all you need to do is call your doctor. When you wake up that first morning feeling completely refreshed, you’ll be so glad that you did.

About the Author

Dr. Kenneth Mogell is a certified sleep dentist that has been serving Jupiter for over 30 years. At his practice, he helps his patients overcome both snoring and sleep apnea using custom-made oral appliances. To learn more about sleep apnea and how you can get diagnosed/treated for it, Dr. Mogell can be contacted through his website.