Obstructive sleep apnea is the most common type of sleep apnea, and it can have a significant impact on your overall energy during the day. Disrupted sleep due to sleep apnea can contribute to the development of chronic diseases, like high blood pressure, type II diabetes, and weight gain.
What are common symptoms of obstructive sleep apnea?
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Excessive daytime sleepiness
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Loud snoring
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Observed episodes of arrested breathing
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Abrupt awakenings with gasping or choking
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Awakening with a dry mouth or sore throat
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Morning headache
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Difficulty concentrating during the day
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Mood changes, such as depression or irritability
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High blood pressure
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Nighttime sweating
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Decreased libido
At EveresT Men’s Health, our team of medical providers can assess the possibility that you may have undiagnosed obstructive sleep apnea. Oftentimes men will seek us out for our expertise with testosterone replacement when they notice significant declines in energy. Before addressing the symptoms, it is important to determine the underlying cause of your low energy levels. If undiagnosed obstructive sleep apnea is impacting restful sleep, treatment of OSA may be the solution. Chronic sleep disruption can result in deficient production of testosterone and sleep correction may result in normalization of testosterone production.
If there is strong clinical suspicion that you may have obstructive sleep apnea, we can assist with providing you with a home sleep test (HST). Historically, diagnosis of obstructive sleep apnea required an overnight stay at a sleep center, which many find to be an uncomfortable experience. Technological advancements in HST devices affords the opportunity to complete a sleep test in the comfort of your own home. The device can be configured for you and provided to you to take home to complete an overnight sleep test. Upon returning the device, the data will be uploaded and the sleep study reviewed and interpreted by a Board Certified Sleep Specialist. If it is determined that you have obstructive sleep apnea, the team at EveresT Men’s Health can direct you to a medical supply company where they can configure the proper settings for a device to treat OSA based on your sleep test results.
Treatment Options
The most common treatment for Obstructive Sleep Apnea is the nightly use of a CPAP (Continuous Positive Airway Pressure) machine which provides positive air pressure to maintain an open airway. Men who use a CPAP machine typically notice significant improvement in the signs and symptoms of OSA, including increased energy during the day. Getting proper restful sleep helps men to support their global health by preventing many of the long term medical risks of chronic sleep disruption.
Additionally, at EveresT we take every opportunity to encourage healthy lifestyle changes which will further complement treatment for obstructive sleep apnea. OSA is often improved by losing weight, so we often recommend increased exercise and nutritional guidance to further support this sleep therapy treatment.
For your convenience, if you suspect that you might have obstructive sleep apnea, we offer a Home Sleep Test (HST) whereby you can complete a sleep study in the comfort of your home and it will be interpreted by a Board Certified Sleep Specialist to determine if you need a device or other treatment for Obstructive Sleep Apnea.
If you’re ready to diagnose and start treating your obstructive sleep apnea, schedule an appointment with EveresT Men’s Health today!