Obstructive sleep apnea occurs when the throat muscles relax and block your airway, often causing snoring. Central sleep apnea is a condition that is a lot less common than obstructive sleep apnea. It occurs because your brain doesn't send the proper signals to the muscles that control breathing. The most common cause of both types of sleep apnea is being overweight or obese. 

Central sleep apnea is a condition that is a lot less common than obstructive sleep apnea, but what happens is a person's brain essentially forgets to tell their lungs to breathe. So subsequently a person stops breathing at night and repetitively wakes up from their sleep. This is quite common in people with cardiac issues, people that have had strokes, or people that are on narcotic-based or opiates at night.

So if you think you have central sleep apnea, the easiest thing to do is talk to your family physician, and in certain situations a referral to a sleep specialist would be appropriate to look at this type of condition. And that's as easy as going to a sleep specialist who will do a test where you sleep in a hospital overnight and they can test you.

Local Practitioners: Sleep Specialist

Sleep apnea is predominantly a condition in older adults, usually after the age of 40, but not confined to that age. Commonly people with weight issues, especially around their neck, can have a higher chance of having sleep apnea. Sleep apnea is more common in males than females. If you have questions about sleep apnea, contact a local sleep specialist.

Now Health Network  Local Practitioners: Sleep Specialist

Sleep apnea is associated with other medical conditions, which are very common - three of those being high blood pressure, diabetes, and cardiac disease.
Often situations where patients have issues in those areas where their doctors are having a hard time treating those medical conditions. Sometimes sleep apnea or a sleep disorder can be the underlying cause.

If you have questions about sleep apnea and associated medical conditions, contact a local sleep specialist.  Often seeing an Endocrinologist or local family physician in conjunction with a registered dietitian and athletic therapist is a great option to take control of this condition. Smart Food Now and exercise are also optimal for overall health.

NOW Health Network Local Practitioners: Sleep Specialist