Are you drowsy during the day with no explanation? Do you snore
loudly, or wake up breathless in the middle of the night? If so,
you may be one of more than twelve million Americans affected by
sleep apnea. What is sleep apnea? Sleep apnea is a condition in
which breathing stops periodically during sleep, as many as
20-30 times per hour. ("Apnea" is the Greek word for "without
breath.") If you suffer from sleep apnea, each time your
breathing stops, the resulting lack of oxygen alerts your brain,
which temporarily wakes you up to restart proper breathing.
Because the time spent awake is so brief, most people with sleep
apnea don't remember it - and many think they are getting a good
night's sleep. However, the constant wake-sleep-wake-sleep cycle
precludes the deep sleep that refreshes the body, and sufferers
are frequently drowsy during the day. What are the signs of
sleep apnea? The following symptoms can indicate the presence of
sleep apnea. If you notice one or more of these, give us a call,
and we can re