Did you know that more than 40 million Americans suffer from some sort of sleep disorder? The fact is that a good percentage of those suffering from a sleep disorder don’t even know it! Sleep disorders are one of the most common health conditions that goes undetected and untreated for months, sometimes years. Sleep disorders include all sorts of conditions, one of the most common being sleep apnea. Sleep apnea is a very dangerous sleep disorder that causes patients to stop breathing many times throughout the night. These cessations in breathing can occur hundreds of times on a nightly basis. While it may not seem like much, these pauses in breathing can last for 30-60 seconds, sometimes longer.
Being proactive is key in treating sleep disorders because patients with sleep disorders, such as sleep apneics, rarely know that they suffer from the condition because it only occurs during sleep when we are not aware of what is going on. But, those who suffer from sleep apnea often have symptoms such as daytime sleepiness, a lack of energy, and headaches that can last all day. These symptoms are rarely shocking enough to cause a patient to consult a doctor, therefore sleep disorders continue to be on the rise, especially those that are undiagnosed.
One organization, a sleep lab in Muncie, Indiana, has taken the lead in offering a program for those with sleep disorders to not only be diagnosed but treated as well. The sleep lab is run by sleep physicians and diagnosticians who are trained to diagnose sleep disorders such as sleep apnea. Everyone is welcome to the sleep lab. Those who use its services are required to stay overnight at the lab so that they can be monitored by professionals for any signs of sleeping disorder activity. If a patient is diagnosed with sleep apnea, they are usually fitted with a CPAP machine.
While the purpose behind the sleep lab is proactive and highly commendable, sleep labs should be aware that not all patients are successful using the CPAP as a sleep apnea treatment method. Many patients are CPAP-intolerant and do experience great results using the CPAP. Because of this, sleep labs should be even more proactive and offer referrals to those patients who require another type of sleep apnea treatment, such as oral appliance therapy.
Have you been diagnosed with sleep apnea in the past? Were you given the CPAP as your treatment method only to find that it doesn’t work for you? Does CPAP cause you too much discomfort, so you don’t use it often or at all? If any of these are true, be sure to contact our office to schedule an appointment. Don’t give up on treating your sleep apnea; call us today.
