Sleep apnea occurs when one stops breathing throughout the night, taking small pauses, and then begins gasping for air to begin breathing again. It can be very disruptive to one's sleep, and very concerning for those who observe this sleep pattern. Sleep apnea can be divided into central (CSA) and obstructive (OSA). Obstructive occurs when something in the back of the throat prevents one from breathing. Those who are overweight, have a wide neck, and males are at increased risk for developing OSA. 

CSA can be a bit more alarming because it's an issue with the brain, and not with the muscles in the back of the neck. We are going to talk about CSA in children, and what are appropriate treatment steps. 

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA)  is a sleep disorder in which breathing frequently stops while sleeping. It happens because your upper airway muscles relax and cause a blockage in the back of your throat.  This makes it very difficult for air to pass through, and leads to breathing cessation. Then, you wake up to start breathing again, interrupting your sleep. However, you are unaware that you continue waking up throughout the night to begin breathing again, and are just tired but unsure why.

Sleep apnea is a sleep disorder that impacts your ability to breathe during the night. Although discussed as a part of adult health, children could also be at risk for sleep apnea. It's important that you recognize if your child has sleep apnea and get them the proper help as proper oxygenation and quality sleep is important for their growth and development. 

COVID-19 can present with varying levels of severity for anyone who contracts the virus. It is a respiratory virus that affects the lungs' ability to properly oxygenate the body. Some patients have no to mild symptoms while others have very severe symptoms that require respiratory assistance. Certain sleep disorders may be related to severe COVID-19, so it's important to know what these diseases are and how they can affect your prognosis. 

Asthma and COPD are both obstructive diseases that make it difficult for lungs to completely get rid of all the air in them. Asthma is more common in younger patients and is reversible through treatment with drugs like albuterol and terbutaline. COPD is not reversible and is more evident in older patients, especially those with a history of smoking. It's important to know the difference between these two diseases, as well as the impact they can have on your sleep. Continue reading to find out more about sleep problems in these individuals. 

Sleep apnea is a sleeping disorder that consists of many pauses in breathing throughout the night. This pause can lead to several sleep disturbances as your body has to wake up again to resume breathing. Sleep apnea is more than a sleep disturbance, however. It can have tremendous health effects on a variety of systems, including cardiovascular health. Continue reading to find out more about this relationship and what you can do. 

Sleep disorders have one thing in common, they interrupt sleep. Therefore, it's important that if you have a sleep disorder, you find the problem before the accumulation of interrupted sleep leads to chronic sleep deprivation. Sleep deprivation is more than just being tired. It can negatively impact several organ systems, including your heart. Heart disease is the number one cause of death worldwide, so it's important to do everything possible to maintain its health - including getting enough sleep. Continue reading to find out how common sleeping disorders can lead to cardiovascular disease!

Experiencing shortness of breath, also known as dyspnea, is a cause for concern on its own. However, when it occurs at night, it may indicate a more serious underlying issue. Typically, during sleep, you shouldn't feel out of breath because your body is at rest. Therefore, if you find yourself breathless during the night, it could be a sign that something is amiss. Keep reading to discover the potential causes of nighttime shortness of breath.

Positive airway pressure (PAP) is one of the most common treatments for sleep apnea. Sleep apnea is a breathing disorder that affects 3 to 7% of the population. Positive airway pressure is a way to offset the breathing difficulties that these patients have throughout the night. There are two types of machines that can assist with sleep apnea treatments. One is called a CPAP and the other is called a BiPAP. We are going to talk about the difference between these two and which one to use in which situations. 

What Exactly is a Sleeping Medication

Sleeping medications are known as sedative hypnotics. They relax the mind and body in order to help prompt sleep. They are prescribed to people who have trouble falling asleep, and/or staying asleep, such as in the case of insomniacs.

Sleeping medications can be:

• Pills like ambien, Klonopin, etc.
• Over the counter aids like Benadryl, Tylenol-PM, and Advil-PM
• Side effects of antihistamine, and antidepressants

For insomniacs they can feel like a lifeline, but they also come with hidden dangers. Most notable, they are not a reasonable solution for people with untreated obstructive sleep apnea. In the words of sleep specialist Dr. Thomas Winkler, “For my patients with untreated sleep apnea, I tell them [taking sleeping pills] is a bad idea.”