Sleep Neglect: "We sleep a third of our lives, yet little attention has been devoted to studying sleep and its disorders. Sleep apnea, a common and devastating disorder, was practically unknown 25 years ago."
Sleep Apnea: "Sleep apnea can have severe consequences. These include poor performance on the job or sexual side effects such as impotence. Sleep apnea may result in mood swings, depression, memory problems, industrial or driving accidents, hypertension, heart attacks, heart failure or stroke and postoperative complications. It's like having high cholesterol, only worse - and sleep apnea worsens as we get older. Sleep apnea can range from quite mild to severe, and it can be fatal. Sleep apnea and obesity promote each other in a vicious cycle."
Primary symptoms of sleep apnea are night snoring and daytime sleepiness. Obstruction in the back of the throat causes the patient to stop breathing and results in poor-quality sleep, leading to daytime fatigue.
We diagnose sleep apnea by performing a sleep study (polysomnography), preferably in the sleep laboratory, where the patient is hooked up to various detectors and observed by a sleep technologist the whole night.
In a separate room, we observe transmitted information on the patient's stage of sleep. When the patient stops breathing (apnea), the blood oxygen level drops, impacting the heart, lungs, brain and kidneys.
Under certain circumstances, a sleep study may be conducted within the patient's own home (click on the "Procedures" tab above for more information about sleep study procedures).
Proper treatment with a positive air pressure machine and mask allows sound sleep for both patient and spouse. That's a profound and satisfying impact on a couple's life, for without good quality sleep, we cannot really be healthy and happy.
For More Information, call Village Sleep Lab, Accredited by the American Academy of Sleep Medicine: (352) 751-4955.
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