Your thyroid is an important organ. If you have the symptoms of a thyroid condition, then you’ll want to know more about how your thyroid and parathyroid work. We explain more about thyroid disorders here.
Your snoring may be more than just a simple nuisance. Did you know that snoring can be a sign of sleep apnea? A serious condition that affects 22 million Americans, sleep apnea can prove to be a serious health concern if left untreated.
At his practice in Sioux Falls, Idaho, otolaryngologist Terry Baker, MD specializes in treating conditions like sleep apnea. That’s why he and his team have compiled this helpful guide to everything that you need to know about the condition.
A serious sleep disorder, sleep apnea is a condition where you snore loudly and your breath can stop for prolonged and repeated periods of time throughout the night. There are a few things that place you at an increased risk of developing the condition, including:
You might also be at risk of developing the condition if you have congestive problems, either caused by an obstruction in your nose, like a deviated septum, or by something as simple as allergies.
You or your partner may have observed the following symptoms in you while you sleep at night, including:
You may also notice the following symptoms while you’re awake, including:
While loud snoring is the most prominent sign of sleep apnea, not everyone who snores loudly has the condition; so if you do snore, you’ll want to get checked just to be safe.
Sleep apnea is more than just a snoring problem, it’s a serious health condition. If you leave it untreated, you can increase your risk of developing serious health conditions like:
If you suspect you have sleep apnea, you’ll want to come in to get checked as soon as possible. You may need overnight monitoring at a sleep center to diagnose the condition. But once we determine that you do have sleep apnea, we can move on to treating the condition.
You may need to start sleeping with a CPAP machine, a machine that delivers air pressure through a mask that covers your nose while you sleep, to keep your airways open throughout the night.
For more information on sleep apnea, contact Dr. Baker’s practice by calling 208-225-4408 to make an appointment.
You Might Also Enjoy...
Your thyroid is an important organ. If you have the symptoms of a thyroid condition, then you’ll want to know more about how your thyroid and parathyroid work. We explain more about thyroid disorders here.
In children and adults whose recurring ear infections aren’t resolved by non-surgical treatments, surgery is often the best option. Discover the benefits your child or you will get from undergoing life-changing ear surgery.
For those who suffer from seasonal allergies, you know that they are no joke. They’re the ultimate added problem this season that you don’t need. Learn more about what we can do to help you deal with them here.
You might not know that a thyroid condition doesn’t only affect your physical health, but your mental health as well. When your thyroid isn’t functioning properly, you can experience depression and anxiety.
Do you know if you have a sinus problem? How can you tell? If left untreated, a sinus problem can progress to a pretty serious condition. Here are the signs of what to look out for when you have a sinus problem.
Are you plagued by daytime sleepiness, fatigue, and irritability? You might have a sleep disorder related to breathing problems at night. Treating sleep apnea isn’t just good for your shut-eye, it can safeguard your health!