Commonly Asked Questions Concerning Sleep Apnea

Michelle Hopkins

Sleep apnea is an issue that many people will experience. Unfortunately, patients are often uninformed when it concerns this particular problem. If you are suspecting that you are experiencing sleep apnea, some basic questions will need to be answered when it concerns sleep apnea.

Is Sleep Apnea A Serious Problem? 

Sleep apnea can represent a potentially serious problem for patients that suffer from it. This is due to the fact that it is caused by a person experiencing an interruption of their breathing. Over time, these interruptions will contribute to a person developing high blood pressure, mood disorders and it can increase the likelihood of heart attacks or strokes. These issues make it wise for patients to seek immediate treatment for this particular problem as delays can help to increase the risks of these issues occurring.

Are There Non-Surgical Treatments For Sleep Apnea?

Patients will often find that they are hesitant about undergoing treatment for their sleep apnea due to an assumption that surgery is the only way to correct this problem. Yet, there are non-surgical treatments that patients may be able to utilize. For example, there are specially designed mouthpieces that can be worn to help prevent the patient's airway from becoming blocked. Additionally, some patients will find that this issue can be corrected by exercising or otherwise losing weight.

Is Surgery For Sleep Apnea A Major Procedure?

While there are effective non-surgical treatment options for patients with sleep apnea, there are some individuals that will find their symptoms are too severe to be corrected with nonsurgical means. Luckily, sleep apnea surgery may not be as disruptive as you are anticipating. In most instances, the surgery itself will only take a few hours to be completed. During the first couple of days, the patient may need to take pain medications and rest as much as possible. However, many individuals will find that they can start to resume their normal activities within a few days of this surgery. Given the sizable health benefits that can come from undergoing sleep apnea surgery, this fairly short recovery period can be worth enduring.

Sleep apnea is a serious problem that can have profound impacts on your overall health. By better appreciating the severity of this problem, the fact that there are often non-surgical treatment options and what should be expected when recovering from sleep apnea surgery, you can be better able to make effective choices for managing this potentially serious medical condition.


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