Does it feel like you’re hearing more and more about sleep apnea these days? You may be wondering if rates of sleep apnea cases are increasing. Let’s learn a bit more about sleep apnea, explore why it could be on the rise, and how you can treat the condition.
What is Sleep Apnea?
Obstructive sleep apnea is a condition where your airways become blocked while you sleep, preventing oxygen from reaching your body and causing your brain to repeatedly wake you up to restore breathing function. This happens when soft tissues in the upper airway relax and narrow or block airflow during sleep. Read the NHLBI explanation of upper-airway obstruction. Symptoms include snoring, headaches, and chronic fatigue.
Why are Sleep Apnea Rates Increasing?
Here are a few reasons why it seems like sleep apnea cases are becoming more prevalent.
- Better Diagnostic Tools: Advancements in diagnostic tools and technology have made it easier to identify sleep apnea in patients. More patients in recent years are seeking out sleep studies to get to the root cause of symptoms like persistent snoring or excessive fatigue.
- Increase in Obesity: One of the factors that can exacerbate sleep apnea is obesity, which is pervasive in the United States. As people gain more weight, they become more likely to suffer from sleep apnea.
- Aging Population: The risk of developing sleep apnea goes up as we age. So if you’re getting older, you may hear more about family members or friends being diagnosed with sleep apnea.
How to Treat Sleep Apnea in Raleigh, NC
If you would like to learn more about sleep apnea or seek treatment, call RespAir Sleep. We will be happy to answer your questions and schedule a consultation to determine the best way to manage your condition. RespAir sleep offers oral appliance therapy as well as combined sleep apnea therapy and snoring treatments. Contact us to discuss your symptoms and the next steps in your care.
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