Sleep is a required bodily function that allows the body to rest and recover from all the activities from the day(s) prior and prime the body for the next days activities. According to The National Sleep Foundation, there are different sleep requirements based on age. Newborns and infants are recommended to sleep 14 to 17 hours a day, Toddlers and children are recommended to sleep 11 to 14 hours a day, teens are recommended to sleep 8 to 10 hours a day and adults are recommended to sleep 7 to 9 hours a day. But what if you are getting the recommended amount of sleep and are still feeling sleep deprived? If this is you, then you may be experiencing Obstructive Sleep Apnea.

What is Obstructive Sleep Apnea?
Obstructive Sleep Apnea is a sleep disorder where a person stops breathing during their sleep that can last between 10-20 seconds. Obstructive sleep apnea occurs due to the relaxation of the muscles in the throat, which results in narrowing the airway and causing a blockage. When the airway is blocked, it is preventing adequate amount of oxygen that the body needs to function properly and can result in many symptoms and problems that can affect a person’s daily living activity.

Risk Factors and Warning Signs of Obstructive Sleep Apnea:
Anyone can develop Obstructive Sleep Apnea but there are certain risk factors that increase your chances of developing it. These risk factors include obesity, smoking, asthma, a narrow airway, high blood pressure, and diabetes.

Warning signs that are associated with of Obstructive Sleep Apnea include but are not limited to snoring, excessive daytime sleepiness, poor sleep quality, increased fatigue, observed cessation of breathing while you sleep, morning headaches, high blood pressure, decreased libido, concentration difficulties, increased mood changes such as irritability and disturbed sleep cycles.

What effects can Obstructive Sleep Apnea have on me?
The effects that Obstructive Sleep Apnea can have on you if untreated can be continuous daytime fatigue and daytime sleepiness, which will affect your everyday living and your quality of work in the workplace. Obstructive Sleep Apnea can also have major effects on the body’s physiology. Due to the inadequate amount of oxygen the body is receiving during Obstructive Sleep Apnea, it increases your chances of cardiovascular problems because the sudden drops in oxygen levels increase blood pressure and adds strain to the cardiovascular system, which can ultimately lead to high blood pressure (Hypertension) and heart disease.

Treatments for these warning signs
Treatments for these warning signs can all be taken care of in a few different ways, but the first line of treatment is to be evaluated by a Physician that specializes in sleep medicine to determine if you do posses Obstructive Sleep Apnea. Here at Delight Medical & Wellness Center, Dr. Kerendian specializes in sleep medicine and does a thorough evaluation and utilizes an at home sleep study system that is done in the convenience of your own bed at no cost to you.

Once it has been concluded that you do have Obstructive Sleep Apnea, there are a few ways of treating it. Treatments for Obstructive Sleep Apnea can consist of simple life changes such as the quitting of smoking, exercising on a regular basis, and implementing a healthier diet. Other ways to approach Obstructive Sleep Apnea would be a custom-made oral mouth guard that helps prevent the jaw from collapsing down when the muscles relax and blocking the airway when you sleep. Another effective treatment would be a CPAP (Continuous Positive Airway Pressure) machine where a mask or nasal pillows are used to apply continuous air while you sleep.

At Delight Medical & Wellness Center, in Los Angeles, we can take care of all of that because Dr. Kerendian not only specializes in sleep medicine but also specializes in bariatric medicine. Dr. Kerendian can help with your lifestyle changes as well as evaluate you and your sleep symptoms. We are a one-stop shop, so call us to set up an appointment and let us help you get better sleep and improve your quality of life.