Cochise Oncology

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How to Tell if You Have Sleep Apnea

Sleep apnea occurs when your ability to breathe while sleeping stops. 

Telling whether you have the condition, however, is challenging, because it only happens while you are asleep. Common signs include feeling groggy in the morning, waking up gasping for breath, and frequent headaches upon waking. 

If you have a partner, they may also hint that you have the condition. For instance, they might tell you that you stopped breathing in the night or were snoring heavily and jerkily. 

Sleep Apnea Tucson

What is Sleep Apnea?

Sleep apnea is a condition in which breathing repeatedly stops while you are asleep. There are three main forms of the condition: obstructive sleep apnea, central sleep apnea, and complex sleep apnea syndrome. 

Obstructive sleep apnea occurs when the throat muscles relax and prevent air from traveling to and from the lungs. Central sleep apnea results from incorrect sending of signals from the brain to the diaphragm – the muscle that controls breathing. And complex sleep apnea syndrome is when you have a combination of central and obstructive sleep apnea. 

At Cochise Oncology, we treat all forms of sleep apnea. Dealing with the condition quickly is crucial. People with long-term sleep apnea can develop high blood pressure, daytime fatigue, type two diabetes, sleep-deprived partners, and liver problems. 

Sleep Apnea Symptoms

In general, there is a substantial overlap between central and obstructive sleep apneas. The most common symptoms include: 

  • Grogginess, fatigue, or tiredness upon waking 
  • Daytime sleepiness
  • A sense that you aren’t rested when you wake up
  • Difficulty staying asleep all night
  • Gasping for breath during the night
  • Episodes where you stop breathing – something a partner might report to you in the morning
  • Difficulties in paying attention to what people are saying while awake
  • Headaches in the morning

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Simply fill out the form on this page to request an appointment and one of our knowledgable team members will reach out to you. Or call our Sierra Vista oncology center to schedule directly at (520) 803-6644.

Benefits of Treating Sleep Apnea

While sleep apnea presents problems, there are multiple benefits of treating it at Cochise Oncology. These include: 

  • Greater daytime alertness: Repeatedly awakening at night (as your central nervous system forces you awake to breathe) can leave you feeling tired and worn out, affecting your ability to work, drive or socialize. By contrast, dealing with sleep apnea can improve your mood, make you feel more alerts, and resolve behavioral problems. 
  • Lower blood pressure: In many patients, sleep apnea leads to increases in blood pressure, a major risk factor for heart disease and stroke. However, with proper treatment, you can reduce this risk. 
  • Improved relationships with your partners: Sleep apnea patients tend to have very loud, abrupt snoring which can keep their partners awake. Dealing with the problem allows you to sleep in the same bed as somebody else without depriving them of sleep. 
  • Improved metabolic health: There’s considerable evidence that sleep apnea leads to metabolic syndrome, a condition that includes obesity, high blood sugar, and high cholesterol levels. By dealing with the condition, you could potentially lower your risk of developing lifestyle-related diseases in the future. 

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Take the Next Step

Are you ready to learn more about sleep apnea? Reach out to Cochise Oncology at (520) 803-6644 or fill out the consultation form on this page. We look forward to meeting you!

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