Sleep Apnea 

Sleep apnea is like your throat’s version of rush-hour traffic—air stops and starts while you sleep, making your body and brain hit the brakes all night long. There are two main types:

• Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA): The classic. Your airway gets blocked (think: collapsed tongue or throat tissues).

• Central sleep apnea: Much rarer. This is a brain-to-breathing communication breakdown (the “forgot to send an email” type).

Some folks have a bit of both—lucky them!

The cause can be blamed on a mix of soft tissue “floppiness” in your throat, big tonsils, excess weight, or stubborn genetics. Alcohol, sedatives, menopause, and even nasal stuffiness can play supporting roles. In central sleep apnea, it’s often heart or neurological issues calling the shots rather than pure anatomy.

Major red flags:

• Snoring that rattles the windows

• Choking, gasping, or silent pauses in breathing while sleeping (ask your bed buddy!)

• Daytime fatigue, “I need a nap by 10am” syndrome

• Morning headaches (as if the alarm wasn’t enough)

• Trouble concentrating, irritability, or feeling “off”

Snoring is a classic, but not everyone who snores has sleep apnea—and not everyone with sleep apnea snores. If you snore plus have one or more of those symptoms, get checked out!

If your partner’s accusing you of bedtime chainsaw noises, you feel exhausted no matter how early you tuck in, or you’re checking all the boxes above: book with us. A sleep study (at a clinic or sometimes at home) is the only way to give a clear “yes or no” diagnosis. You’ll wear sensors that track breathing, oxygen, brainwaves, and more. It’s the gold standard!

Left untreated, sleep apnea is less “annoying snore” and more “silent assassin.” It raises your risk of:

• High blood pressure, heart attack, stroke, and heart failure

• Diabetes and trouble with blood sugar

• Dangerous daytime sleepiness—car crashes, anyone?

• Mood problems, brain fog, even memory slip-ups

It’s not just about rest—it’s about your heart and longevity.

• CPAP (Continuous Positive Airway Pressure): Keeps your airway open with gentle air.

• Oral appliances: Look like mouthguards—help hold your jaw/tongue in place.

• Surgery: For people with major anatomical blocks (tonsillectomies, nasal fixes, jaw adjustment).

• Weight loss & lifestyle: If you’re carrying extra pounds, losing as little as 10% of body weight can make a huge difference. 

CPAP is the superhero mask that blows constant air to keep your airway from collapsing. Modern versions are small, silent, and more comfy than their reputation suggests.
 

Forever? Not always—lifestyle changes, weight loss, or surgery can sometimes let you ditch the device. But for many, it’s the nightly ticket to waking up refreshed.

“Cured” is rare, but minor cases sometimes resolve with weight loss, surgery, or addressing specific triggers (like fixing a nasal blockage).

Prevention? Stay at a healthy weight, limit alcohol and sedatives, and treat allergies early on.

• Lose weight if needed

• Sleep on your side, not your back (hello, tennis ball in the pajama trick!)

• Avoid alcohol or sleeping pills before bed

• Keep nasal passages clear (think: saline, allergy meds)

• Stick to a regular sleep schedule

Sleeping soundly is serious medicine—sweet dreams are well within reach!