Pulmonary Physicians of Gainesville can diagnose sleep disorders and help you sleep soundly at night. A good night's sleep is vital for rejuvenating mental and physical health, but it is estimated that more than 100,000,000 Americans fail to get a good night's sleep. Rest soundly after undergoing proven sleep apnea treatments from our clinic in Gainesville, Florida. Many Americans suffer from OSA (Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome). Identified by European investigators in the 1960s, OSA's root cause is often a small pharyngeal airway which may be caused by merely having a small throat or even large tonsils. Having Trouble Sleeping?
For all of us, throat muscles generally relax during sleep, leading to narrowing of the throat. For patients with OSA this often means breathing becomes a struggle. The sleeping brain senses the problem and increases breathing efforts, which may awaken your brain and interrupt the sleep cycle. During the struggle to open the airway, there may be increases in blood pressure and/or decreases in oxygen levels that impose significant stress to your cardiovascular system. |
Sleep Apnea
Sleep apnea is a very common sleep disorder that is generally characterized by the interruption of breathing while you're asleep. There are three types of sleep apnea: obstructive, central, and mixed. Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) is the most diagnosed kind of sleep apnea. Sleep apnea can be treated through changes in diet, medication, sleep behaviors, the addition of a device that creates positive airway pressure (C-PAP), or sometimes surgery. Sleep apnea (problematic breathing during sleep) is believed to affect more than 12,000,000 Americans. The healthcare providers at Pulmonary Physicians of Gainesville are specialists in sleep apnea and can help you be proactive if you think you suffer from sleep apnea. Untreated sleep apnea may have adverse affects on your health and is a leading cause for excessive daytime sleepiness. You may have sleep apnea and not know it! Diagnostic sleep disorder treatments and tests that may be recommended for you include what is called a polysomnography and/or a MSLT (Multiple Sleep Latency Tests). You may be asked to spend the night at a "sleep lab" to record your nocturnal habits. More information about OSA can be obtained from the American Sleep Apnea Association. | | Snoring & OSA
Approximately 30% of adults snore, usually with no serious consequences. However, loud or nightly snoring can be a sign of OSA. Additional indicators of OSA are snoring interrupted by pauses, then gasps; patients don't usually recall the episodes. Symptoms may include falling asleep in inappropriate situations (at work, while driving), trouble concentrating, forgetfulness, irritability, anxiety, depression, morning headaches, increased frequency nighttime urination, or decreased libido. Possible consequences of untreated OSA include high blood pressure, heart attacks, heart failure, strokes, depression, motor vehicle crashes, and diabetes. OSA is best diagnosed through a physician-ordered, nighttime study at a sleep disorder center. Sensors are placed to monitor your brain waves, muscle activity, heart rhythms, and oxygen levels while you sleep. It is important to pick a sleep disorder center staffed with physicians specializing in sleep medicine who can provide treatment after the study. OSA affects nearly 20% of the adult population, but many sleep disorder treatments are available. 70% of patients find relief with CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure: a light mask is worn over the nose during sleep and a quiet air pump attached to the mask blows air into the throat and holds it open). Other sleep apnea treatments available include oral appliances and some surgical procedures. |
Sleep Quiz -
The Epworth Sleepiness Scale
In contrast to just feeling tired, how likely are you to doze off or fall asleep in the following situations? Even if you have not done some of these things recently, try to work out how they would have affected you. Use the following scale to choose the most appropriate number for each situation, then total your score. Either print this page or write on a piece of paper and then share your score with your doctor. 0 = Would Never Doze
1 = Slight Chance of Dozing
2 = Moderate Chance of Dozing
3 = High Chance of Dozing • Sitting & Reading
• Watching TV
• Sitting in a Public Place
• Riding as a Passenger in a Car for One Full Hour
• Lying Down to Rest in the Afternoon
• Sitting & Talking to Someone
• Sitting Quietly after Lunch without Alcohol
• In a Car That's Stopped for a Few Minutes in Traffic
• Your Total Score? = ______ | Contact us in Gainesville, Florida,
at (866) 942-0859 for more details on our sleep apnea treatments. 
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