It’s possible that no one ever labeled what you experience on a daily basis, but excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS) is not something that should be ignored. EDS can complicate your job, especially if you fall asleep during the day, struggle to concentrate, or cannot be as productive as you should. It can also impact your quality of life, both by the misery you experience from always being tired to the safety issues of being to sleepy to drive sagely. While there can be other causes of EDS, one of the most common reasons it occurs is due to sleep apnea.
What Are the Other Symptoms of Sleep Apnea?
There are several telltale signs of sleep apnea beyond excessive daytime sleepiness. Snoring at night, as well as having episodes throughout the night where you stop breathing are both common symptoms. You may also wake up with a headache and dry mouth or feel irritable. Sleep apnea can also contribute to high blood pressure, so if you’ve experienced any associated health risk, it’s best to speak to your doctor about performing a sleep study to determine whether or not you have sleep apnea.
How Is Sleep Apnea Treated?
Depending on the severity of your sleep apnea, you may be able to make lifestyle changes that will improve your ability to sleep through the night without disruption to your breathing and oxygen levels. These lifestyle changes can include behavior training to improve sleep patterns, losing excess weight, exercising more. You will also be encouraged to quit smoking and decrease or eliminate alcohol consumption. More serious sleep apnea may require more aggressive treatment, with either a CPAP machine or an oral appliance.
Dr. Marc Bowen is an NYC pulmonologist and sleep apnea specialist with over three decades of experience specializing in pulmonary medicine. We are dedicated to providing a personalized and convenient patient experience, offering the latest diagnostic tests and in-office procedures to help you return to your active lifestyle. If you believe that you may have sleep apnea, schedule an appointment with Dr. Bowen or call 212-480-4062 for an evaluation. Appointments will be confirmed by office staff.
