More than 18 million Americans suffer from sleep apnea. This sleeping disorder interrupts your breathing during sleep and can be extremely detrimental to your general health.
While it may sound harmless, sleep apnea is a serious condition that needs to be treated by one of the most qualified sleep apnea specialist in New York. In addition to sleep deprivation and fatigue, this sleep disorder could lead to high blood pressure, heart attack or stroke.
Do You Have Sleep Apnea?
People who have sleep apnea are often unaware of the disorder. Most of the time, it’s the people around them who first notice the problem. Common sleep apnea symptoms are as follows:
● Loud snoring
● Waking frequently at night
● Gasping for air during sleep
● Sleepiness during the day
● Headaches and mood swings
● Memory loss
● Difficulty in concentrating on a task
● Dry mouth upon waking
If you experience several of the sleep apnea symptoms mentioned above, a consultation with a sleep specialist will help you get the peace of mind you need. Your doctor will run tests to see if your sleeping problem is truly due to sleep apnea or a dental issue.
If it’s a dental issue, your sleep specialist may recommend that you wear a mandibular device to prevent obstruction or go through Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) therapy.
Therapy for Sleep Apnea
Obstructive sleep apnea happens when the airways are blocked during sleep. When this happens, the body sends a signal to the brain that it needs to breathe. Therefore, many people who suffer from sleep apnea find themselves gasping for breath in the middle of the night.
To prevent these episodes from happening, Dr. Shukla may recommend Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) therapy. Before going through therapy, Dr. Shukla will ask you to undergo various sleep tests, which may require you to spend the night in a sleep lab.
For the therapy, you will be required to use a CPAP machine, which will blow pressurized air through your airway. The machine will help you breathe without interruption, so you can feel rested and energized during the day.
Once you are diagnosed with sleep apnea, Dr. Shukla will ask you to return to the clinic to determine the pressure settings of your CPAP machine and to fit you with a mask. A durable medical equipment (DME) specialist will give you your CPAP kit and the instructions on how to use it.
The CPAP machine has a tubing and a mask that the user needs to put on during sleep. Although it may look and sound uncomfortable, using a CPAP machine does not disrupt sleep at all. In fact, it does the opposite by delivering gentle air to prevent your airway from collapsing when breathing. This helps in making sleep more relaxed and fulfilling for the user.
Using the machine may feel uncomfortable in the beginning. But the more you use it, the more that you will feel comfortable sleeping with a mask on your face. Users report that immediate use of a CPAP machine results in better sleep at night. It also helps regulate sleeping patterns with regular use.
Dr. Shukla will prescribe the length of time for which you should use the CPAP machine. But ideally, you should be able to use it for a long time in order to reap the benefits of quality sleep.
Sleep Apnea Specialist in New York
The CPAP machine is only recommended for those who are diagnosed with sleep apnea and in need of an effective sleep apnea remedy. Visit the best sleep apnea specialist in New York, Dr. Mayank Shukla of Sleep MD NYC for a professional and accurate diagnosis of your sleeping problem.
Dr. Shukla helps treat various sleeping disorders from snoring to insomnia. Call (917)765-7469 to find out the best treatment for your sleeping problem.
