Sure, you know that snoring is a sign of sleep apnea, but were you aware there are other not-so-obvious clues that you have the condition? For example, headaches or high blood pressure could be indicators, and those are some of the most common reasons for a sleep study.
As leading ENTs in Raleigh, you can rest easy; we can arrange a sleep study for sleep apnea, and provide solutions so you can have a peaceful night and awake feeling refreshed. Often, a CPAP machine is a simple and effective solution, but we’ll have to evaluate you to be sure this is the right choice for you. Don’t wait until your sleeplessness becomes a nightmare. Contact us to easily schedule an appointment today.
In this article, we’ll take a closer look at 5 signs you need a sleep study for sleep apnea and point you in the direction of effective solutions.
You Snore Loudly
Does your partner mention that they can’t sleep because your snoring keeps them awake? While not everyone who snores has sleep apnea, it is an indicator that something isn’t right.
Why do you snore? Often it’s because, for some reason, your airflow is partially blocked. This could be caused by many factors including your sleeping position, your age, or problems with the anatomy of your mouth and throat—such as enlarged adenoids or a deviated septum.
But it can also be caused by sleep apnea, which means you may stop breathing for short periods of time at several points during the night. This is one of the most common reasons for a sleep study.
What we can do for you
A sleep study is an excellent way for us to get to the source of your problems. If we discover that your snoring is caused by another factor such as a deviated septum, we can perform a simple procedure to correct the issues. Often, a CPAP machine is an effective solution. This machine provides continuous airway pressure to help keep your airway open.
You’re Exhausted During the Day Despite “Sleeping” All Night
We placed “sleeping” in quotes because sometimes you may believe you’ve had a good night’s sleep when you’ve actually stopped breathing several times throughout your sleep cycle. Another common reason for a sleep study is excessive daytime drowsiness, which makes it difficult to concentrate on your work, your classes, and even tasks around the home.
What we can do for you:
Again, a sleep study can identify how often your breathing stops during the night. You may be surprised to learn how often that happens. When your body is deprived of oxygen–even for short periods throughout the night– it makes it difficult or impossible to conduct business as usual the next day.
You Have a Headache When You Get Up in the Morning
Did you realize headaches could indicate the need for a sleep study for sleep apnea? Of course, there are several reasons you may have a headache, but they could also be an indicator of this condition. Sleep apnea can cause headaches by:
- Depriving your blood cells of oxygen
- Keeping you from deep stages of restful sleep
- Increasing pressure within your skull, which can cause headaches
- Breathing difficulties and changes in air flow affect circulation, which results in headache
What we can do for you:
The first priority is to examine what is causing your headaches. While sleep apnea is certainly a potential source, there are other health issues that need to be explored, such as sinus headaches or vertigo. We will take you step by step through the process as we make this determination. This enables us to provide the right kind of safe, effective treatment.
You Have Difficulty Staying Asleep
There are few things more frustrating than being pulled out of sleep and being unable to get back to rest. However, sleep apnea can often contribute to interrupted sleep cycles. Compounded throughout several nights, you’re faced with daytime sleepiness and the potential for morning headaches.
What we can do for you:
We may ask you to keep track of your sleeping patterns and disturbances. We’ll use this information to craft a picture of your health and help determine if a sleep study for sleep apnea is appropriate.
You Have High Blood Pressure
Again, this may not be the first issue that comes to your mind when you think of sleep apnea, but hypertension can increase your risk of heart disease and stroke. When your oxygen level drops due to sleep apnea, your body “panics,” and as a result, releases hormones that increase both your blood pressure and heart rate.
Sleep apnea can also cause inflammation, which contributes to vascular damage, which, over time, can lead to high blood pressure.
What we can do for you:
We will closely monitor your blood pressure throughout the process, and if you have high blood pressure, we’ll work with your primary care physician and other members of your healthcare team to determine if sleep apnea or some other condition may be the cause.
Can a Blood Test Detect Sleep Apnea?
While blood test results must be weighed with other factors, these tests can give insight into whether you have sleep apnea.
Studies show that higher levels of HbA1c (a glucose-coated red blood cell protein) and CRP (uric acid–a chemical that occurs when your body breaks down purines along with elevated EPO (erythropoietin – a hormone that stimulates red blood cell production) could be indicators of sleep apnea.
What Happens During a Sleep Apnea Sleep Test?
A sleep test isn’t necessarily done in a hospital. In fact, it’s often in a room where we strive to provide an environment that is as peaceful and home-like as possible. A registered sleep study technician will attach several electrodes to you that will monitor your heart rate, breathing, and other vital signs. Don’t worry—the electrodes don’t hurt.
You’ll go to sleep as you do every night and wake in the morning. Afterwards, we will examine the data and schedule an appointment with you to review the results.
Dreaming of a Good Night’s Sleep? Our ENTs in Raleigh Can Make That Dream Come True
Because sleep apnea can involve structures of the nose and throat, ENT specialists are uniquely qualified to address these issues. All of our board-certified ear, nose and throat doctors in Raleigh are leaders in their field, completing their fellowships and studies from nationally-recognized institutions.
However, we also understand that compassion is a vital part of the healthcare equation, and we exemplify that in all that we do. We also offer convenience with our practices located throughout the Raleigh area and our extensive array of in-office services.
Have you been told that you snore? Do you wake up several times during the night? Is daytime sleepiness making it difficult to function at work or school? If so, contact us today for information about scheduling a sleep study.
Key Takeaways:
- Snoring, daytime drowsiness, headaches, difficulty staying asleep and high blood pressure are all potential signs of sleep apnea and some of the most common reasons for a sleep study.
- During a sleep study, your respiration, heart rate and other vital signs are monitored and recorded. Our ENTs will discuss the results with you and create an appropriate healthcare plan.
- A CPAP machine can be an effective solution for sleep apnea.
- While a blood test can determine the possibility of sleep apnea, a sleep study provides important details that are vital to your care.
- If a sleep study for sleep apnea determines that this is the cause of your issues, our ENTs in Raleigh will provide the highest level of care to help you.
The content within this article and others on this website is only for educational purposes and should not be considered medical advice. For any questions or concerns, please consult with your healthcare provider.