If you find yourself waking up exhausted after a full night’s sleep and dealing with a dry throat, there may be a specific issue that you’re dealing with. If others tell you that you’re constantly snoring as well, this might be due to sleep apnea. It is crucial that you get treatment for sleep apnea as soon as possible to avoid serious complications that could occur otherwise. Dr. Jose Medina-Bairan, Dr. Gabriel Medina-Smester, and Dr. Juan Guarderas at Maranatha Medical Plaza in Valdosta, GA, can explain what sleep apnea is and how it can affect your life.
Dealing With Sleep Apnea
Sleep apnea occurs when the airway is blocked while you sleep. This limits the amount of air flowing through your body and impacts the quality of your sleep. If sleep apnea remains untreated by your doctor in Valdosta, GA, it can lead to severe complications that may even be life-threatening.
The two common types of sleep apnea are obstructive sleep apnea and central sleep apnea. With central sleep apnea, your brain isn’t sending the correct signals to your body to breathe. With obstructive sleep apnea, your airway is blocked, and you aren’t able to get the correct amount of oxygen in your body. Others may notice that you have short periods where you don’t breathe while sleeping.
Common symptoms of sleep apnea include:
- Exhaustion throughout the day
- Dry mouth
- Snoring
- Irritability
If you don’t get the correct treatment to manage your sleep apnea, you can impact several areas of your life. You might find that you aren’t able to focus at work and that you’re constantly falling asleep, even while driving. This can also increase your risk of heart disease. Common risk factors for sleep apnea are obesity and smoking.
Contact Our Doctor Today
Make sure you deal with your sleep apnea. Contact Dr. Medina-Bairan, Dr. Medina-Smester, and Dr. Guarderas at Maranatha Medical Plaza in Valdosta, GA, to learn more about sleep apnea and how it could affect you. Call for more information and to schedule your appointment today at (229) 247-1667.