In-Depth
Information
Sleep Apnea
Is it just snoring, or is it life-threatening sleep
apnea?
For an accurate diagnosis, look to The Sleep
Institute.
Every night, sleep apnea causes over 18 million Americans
to stop breathing periodically during their sleep. Sleep apnea
"episodes" can cause you to involuntarily stop breathing for
10 to 60 seconds up to 30 times an hour or more while
sleeping. These episodes cause a person to "wake up" from a
deep sleep in order to resume normal breathing. As a result,
these people are unable to get the restorative sleep they
need.
Yet despite the presence of clear signs and symptoms,
some 80% to 90% of those with the disorder remain undiagnosed
for an average of seven years. The good news is that
The Sleep Institute offers leading-edge
testing and treatment for sleep apnea. Our director, Dr. Daron
Scherr, is board-certified in both sleep medicine and internal
medicine, so you know you're in good hands.
Conditions that can be linked to sleep apnea.
Sleep apnea can cause morning headaches, excessive
daytime sleepiness and snoring. What's more, sleep apnea is a
debilitating breathing disorder that can have more serious
health effects. For example, studies have suggested that about
one-half of patients who have hypertension have sleep apnea,
as well. Sleep apnea has also been linked to high blood
pressure, weight problems, memory problems, chronic fatigue,
stroke, heart attack and sudden death.
One of the major risk factors for sleep apnea is obesity.
Over 70% of people in the United States with apnea are obese.
Excess body weight can affect your breathing in numerous
ways. Excess fat on the sides of the upper airway passage
causes it to narrow and become at risk for closure while
sleeping; a risk that is particularly high in overweight
people with a large neck circumference.
Knowing these warning signs could save your life.
Sleep apnea is a serious condition that needs to be
diagnosed and treated by a qualified specialist like Dr.
Scherr. If you or a loved one notices any of these symptoms,
ask your doctor if you would benefit from a Free Sleep Apnea
Screening at The Sleep Institute:
- Loud snoring
- Episodes of breathing stoppage during sleep
- Morning headaches
- Gasping or snorting for air during sleep
- Excessive daytime sleepiness
Trust Idaho's home for leading-edge sleep care.
Our leading-edge sleep studies help us determine the
precise nature of your sleep problem. These sleep studies
utilize advanced testing technologies to give us a complete
and precise profile of how you sleep and how you don't.
At The Sleep Institute, we conduct our comprehensive
sleep studies in quiet, private hotel-like sleep study rooms
within the area's only accredited full-service sleep disorders
centers. Afterward, Dr. Scherr can tell you with certainty
whether or not your snoring is linked to sleep apnea.
Here at The Sleep Institute, Dr. Scherr leads an
experienced team of credentialed sleep technologists and nurse
practitioners. They are eminently qualified to both diagnose
and treat your sleep apnea problem so you can get a safe,
restful night's sleep and awaken refreshed and energetic
the next day.
Resolve to discover if you or a loved one has sleep
apnea. Get started today by calling 208-523-7667 and making an
appointment for a Free Sleep Apnea
Screening.
