SLEEP APNEA

Q: I have a real problem with sleep. I constantly go to sleep in the daytime and don’t sleep well at night. My husband says that I snore loudly sometimes, as well. What is the best way to handle this?

A: The first thing that needs to be ruled out is sleep apnea. Sleep apnea means that you frequently stop breathing for 10 seconds or longer during sleep. It can be mild to severe, based on how often you stop breathing. Blockage of the airway in your mouth and throat is the usual cause. The airway can become blocked when you throat muscle relaxes during sleep. Testing for this may result in use of a CPAP machine that helps you breath at night or surgery to enlarge the opening in your throat. If you only have a mild problem, losing weight will help. Sleeping on your side or propping up the head of your bed six inches usually helps, as well. Do not smoke, as it can make apnea worse.   

Dr. Rick Casey

Questions can be submitted directly to the providers, called in to Mercy Clinic at 417/876-5851 or submitted through their new App mymercy.net.

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