There are three types of sleep apnea, and each one should be taken seriously. After all, we’re talking about sleep-disordered breathing, which can greatly affect your quality of life. Is the difference between them really that big though? This blog addresses obstructive sleep apnea most often, because it is the most common. Today, with Aeroflow Sleep Advisor, Dr. Carleara Weiss’s expert insight, we’re going to talk about central sleep apnea and how it compares.
How do you know if you have obstructive sleep apnea or not? The best place to start is by speaking with your healthcare provider, who will likely refer you to a sleep specialist for a sleep study. While an overnight sleep study may sound intimidating at first, this technology has come a long way. It’s even possible to complete a sleep study in the comfort of your own home! These are called at-home sleep studies; keep reading for a brief overview of what they are and how they work.
While continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) is typically the go-to treatment option healthcare professionals prescribe, some patients may opt for surgical procedures instead. Surgery is often reserved for individuals who have tried non-surgical treatments—like CPAP or oral appliance therapy—but have not found success in doing so. Surgery may be an option for cases ranging from mild to severe OSA, so to provide more information on this topic, we’re answering the most commonly asked questions about sleep apnea surgery with the help of Aeroflow Sleep Science Advisor, Dr. Carleara Weiss.
The theme for World Sleep Day this year was “Sleep Equity for Global Health.” If you aren’t familiar with the concept of ‘sleep equity,’ you are not alone. It has only been a few years since I learned about equity and why it matters whenever we talk about improving sleep health and diagnosing sleep disorders. For example, research into sleep equity acknowledges that not everyone starts with the same access to healthcare and resources when it comes to their sleep. Aeroflow Sleep is strongly invested in overcoming that challenge, and here’s how we can begin to change together.
“No sugar before bed!” You’ve likely either told a child, grandchild, or spouse this, or maybe you were on the receiving end of this advice. We all know sugar is not the best for us, but what actually happens to our bodies when we eat sugar before bed? Today, we’ve teamed up with Dr. Monique May, Board-Certified Family Physician and Aeroflow Sleep Medical Advisory Board member, to discuss sugar’s impact on both your sleep and overall health.
I, Emma Cooksey, may have gone undiagnosed with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) for 10 years, but there was no way a doctor could miss my depression. I distinctly remember sitting in a drab doctor’s office on a rainy Tuesday morning with tears streaming down my face, noisily blowing my nose and struggling to be understood between sobs. I was 23 and had recently switched jobs. I felt overwhelmed, sad, and hopeless, but I came out on the other side. You can, too, and my story is just one way it was possible.
A 2021 study estimated that more than one in five adults in the United States deals with a mental illness. The connection between sleep and mental health is undeniable—poor sleep can contribute to mental health challenges, while mental health issues can disrupt sleep. We’ve teamed up with Dr. Chris Allen—a Board-Certified Sleep Medicine Physician, Pediatric Neurologist, and Aeroflow Sleep Science Advisor—to explore the effects of sleep on your mental health.
Did you know drowsy driving has its own prevention week every November? In fact, The National Sleep Foundation publishes an annual survey during this week, updating statistics on drowsy driving in the U.S in an effort to raise awareness.
Last year’s survey stated, “Drowsy driving is a significant public health concern in the United States. Estimates suggest motor vehicle crashes related to drowsy driving account for roughly 20% of all motor vehicle crashes.” My own experience was no exception, and it was ultimately the impetus to my obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) diagnosis.
According to the Americans with Disabilities Act, a service animal is “a dog that has been trained to complete a task for an individual with a disability.” But is sleep apnea technically a disability? And can a trained service dog help you manage your sleep disorder? Let’s find out!
If you suffer from loud snoring and daytime sleepiness, you shouldn’t brush it off as normal. In fact, these symptoms may be pointing to something more serious; like a sleep disorder. But is something like sleep apnea a disease you can simply deal with on your own? Aeroflow Sleep has the answer in today’s blog.
