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Do You Snore? It Can Lead to Heart Attack or Stroke

Posted on January 13, 2016

Do You Snore? It Can Lead to Heart Attack or Stroke

South Central Sleep Center – A Division of South Central Regional Medical Center

WallaceAre you sleepy during the day? Do you snore at night? Have you woken up gasping for air? You may have a condition called Obstructive Sleep Apnea. Sleep Apnea is a serious medical condition that does more than just disrupt your sleep, it can affect your overall health.

“Apnea simply means without breath,” explains John M. Wallace, M.D., Medical Director of the South Central Sleep Center in Laurel. “People with untreated sleep apnea stop breathing repeatedly during their sleep, sometimes hundreds of times during the night and often for as much as 10 seconds to longer than a minute.”

Obstructive Sleep Apnea is caused by the closing of the upper airway while asleep. The soft tissue in the rear of the throat collapses, then the tongue falls backwards forming a blockage, preventing air from entering the lungs. In order to breathe the person must arouse or awaken, allowing air to pass to the lungs. When Obstructive Sleep Apnea is left untreated it can result in serious risk factors, such as heart attack, stroke or high blood pressure.

Symptoms of Obstructive Sleep Apnea:

  • Excessive daytime sleepiness is a typical complaint of patients with sleep apnea. The sleepiness can occur at any time of day but most commonly occurs in the afternoon or evening. Falling asleep in front of the TV or when reading are common complaints.
  • Snoring is typically loud in most patients with sleep apnea. The snoring has several pauses during apneic episodes. Following the apnea; the snoring is loud and explosive for several breaths before another apneic episode occurs. Some elderly patients may have minimal snoring, yet have severe sleep apnea.
  • Apneic episodes may be noticed by a bed partner or other observer. If apneic episodes are observed then there is little doubt that the patient has a sleep related breathing disorder and further investigation is usually required.
  • Choking or gasping in sleep is a common complaint of patients with obstructive sleep apnea. An abrupt awakening with the sensation of being unable to breathe that results in gasping or choking may be reported by the patient, or the patient may be seen by a bed partner gasping or choking in their sleep.
  • Tiredness upon awakening is a complaint heard from these patients. They awaken tired and unrested. It is due to an inadequate quality of sleep. The tiredness usually improves within a few hours at most but can last all day.

“Feeling tired and sleepy all the time is not normal,” states Dr. Wallace. “Treatment for sleep apnea is available. If you or a loved one has the symptoms of sleep apnea, we encourage you to schedule an appointment for a consult. Sleep apnea can affect all areas of a person’s life and our goal is to improve their quality of life.”

Patients may be self-referred or be referred by their physician for a sleep evaluation. South Central Sleep Center is located at 1105 Adams Street in Laurel. For more information or to schedule an appointment, please call the South Central Sleep Center at (601) 426-2886.

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