Written by McKenzie Jones, Intern, Grand Canyon University
Have you noticed as your loved one is sleeping, their breathing pauses for fairly long periods of time? Or that their snoring is unbearable? 42 million Americans have sleep disorder breathing (SDB) according to the New England Journal of Medicine. Sleep apnea is a chronic condition that is the leading cause of day-time tiredness, and can increase your risk of diabetes and heart failure. This condition involves airway blockage or collapse, which results in a pause in breathing or diminished shallow breathing. Sleep apnea is common in those that are overweight, have high blood pressure, or have small airways. The risk increases as we age or if there is a family history of sleep apnea.
The goal of treatment is to manage the symptoms and to improve the quality of sleep.
Wickenburg Community Hospital offers sleep apnea testing in the privacy of your own home. Your primary care provider can help determine if this is the best direction for you. Sleep studies are covered by most insurance companies. Let our cardiopulmonary department help you get back to the sleep you’ve been dreaming about.