Sleep Apnea

Getting quality sleep each night is one of the most important things in life. While we rest our bodies and brain recharge so that we have the proper energy levels and mental acuity for the day ahead. Yet many Americans don’t get the proper amount of sleep they need. In fact, according to the CDC, one in three Americans doesn’t get enough sleep on a daily basis.

There are many sleep disorders but one of the most dangerous, and one that is often undiagnosed, is sleep apnea. This condition causes your airways to close or tighten as you sleep, obstructing airflow which causes your body to struggle to breathe while you sleep. Many people associate sleep apnea with loud, chronic snoring but there are many other symptoms that result from this condition as well.

We’re commonly told that we need at least 8 hours of sleep every night for general health and wellness. However, our sleep needs go much deeper than that. Insufficient sleep can cause numerous diseases, and even early mortality. Dr. Adler and I attended a continuing education course about sleep disorders recently, and what we learned was eye opening!