What is Sleep Apnea?

Sleep apnea is the brief cessation of breathing that happens during sleep. This decreases the flow of oxygen to our body while we are sleeping. Most common reason for sleep apnea is obstructive sleep apnea. As the name suggests an obstruction in our airway such as increased fat tissue, congested sinuses, increased tonsils size or uvula size, weekend airway muscles, or other issues may cause and narrowing of our anyways to our lungs which are usually manifested in a SNORING sound because of the vibration caused by this narrowing of the airway.

Approximately 30 million Americans have undiagnosed sleep apnea.

Diagnosis
Diagnosis is simply done by the following methods:

• Answering certain questions regarding your symptoms and medical problems which may hand towards requiring a sleep test study.
• Testing and sleep labs – THIS IS NOT IDEAL as it requires the patient to go to a sleep center and spend the night in their facility. To evaluate for a few sleep diseases, electrodes will be attached to your head and body to perform a full sleep study. Most patients are uncomfortable with this process as it is not a natural sleep environment.
• Home Sleep Analysis Testing
• this offers an easier option than above, as you will be able to spend the night in comfort of your own bed and familiar surroundings without any electrodes nor any strange guys watching you on camera.
• Steps involved:
• Dr. Kerendian will prescribe the Sleep test for you.
• Our staff will Orient you to the utilization of this compact machine. That you will take home with you.
• You sleep in your own bed with one belt around your waist, one soft finger glove, and one clear comfortable tube under your nose.
• When you wake up in the morning, you will ship the machine and its contents to our Center (all shipping arrangements are handled by our staff).
• The software will be downloaded and evaluated by our physician.
• Results are then reviewed with you by Dr. Kerendian.

Treatment
As with anything else at Delight Medical Center, Dr. Kerendian will review with you in detail the results of the sleep test and if any issues are seen he will discuss all options of treatments are therapies. We are equipped with the appropriate team to offer all the common treatments for sleep apnea such as below:

• Nutraceutical or pharmaceutical
• prescriptions prescribed by Dr. Kerendian as deemed appropriate for your health.
• Sleep hygiene and lifestyle improvements
• Weight Management
• comprehensive weight management can be tailored for you by Dr. Kerendian.
• Sleep Apnea Mouth Gaurds
• at the simplest and not most noninvasive sleep apnea treatments
• most popular treatment option
• Sharon Shamoiel, DMD and his team have excellent experience in producing your tailor made dental gaurds that are routinely adjusted to allow for most optimal and comfortable breathing.
• CPAP machines
• a CPAP machine pulls room air and compresses it and blows it into the tube which is attached to a mask worn by the patient. The pressurized air from the CPAP keeps the airway open allowing the patient to breathe more efficiently.
• Our team of CPAP experts will fit you with appropriate mask options and follow up with you for best care.
• Full mask
• Nasal mask
• Nasal pillow

Benefits of treatments
Patients are treated obstructive sleep apnea we return to a more normal sleep pattern allowing the body its much-needed rest. Patients will feel more awake and energetic allowing increased focus and activity throughout the day. Benefits also include reduced risk for heart failure, stroke, diabetes, hypertension and other ailments associated with obstructive sleep apnea.

• Improved energy
• Improved thinking capacity and memory
• Improved mental sharpness and moods
• Improved physical stamina
• Decrease of headaches and other body aches
• Increased physical strength
• Improved efficiency at work
• Improved sexual performance and function

Cumulative effects of untreated sleep apnea
As obstructive sleep apnea develops, it has a cumulative effect if untreated. This means that the longer the disease goes untreated, the greater the negative side effects and associated health risks. The following are some health conditions that may emerge or may heighten in danger with the presence of sleep apnea:

• High blood pressure
• Heart Disease
• Heart attack
• Heart failure
• Stroke
• Diabetes
• Depression
• Esophageal reflux disease
• Sexual Dysfunctions

Consequences of obstructive sleep apnea if untreated

• Difficulty concentrating on tasks such as driving can lead to fatal car accidents
• Excessive Daytime Sleepiness
• Morning and Daytime Headaches
• Generalized Irritability
• Impaired Emotional Functioning
• Impaired Marriage Life and Relationship Due to Snoring