What Is Sleep Apnea and How Does It Affect The Body?

Sleep apnea is a medical condition where breathing pauses during sleep due to the airway becoming blocked or collapsing. When this occurs, you wake up so breathing can resume. These sleep interruptions prevent you from sleeping well and can cause health issues, including an increased risk of high blood pressure, diabetes, and heart disease. Dr. Avi Ishaaya is a board-certified physician in pulmonary, sleep, internal, and geriatric medicine, who treats sleep disorders, such as sleep apnea. At Dr. Avi Ishaaya Centers in Los Angeles, CA, he performs sleep apnea and sleep studies for patients suffering from insomnia and other sleep problems.

What is sleep apnea?

Sleep apnea causes breathing pauses when the muscles at the back of the throat collapse or are blocked. When you have sleep apnea in Los Angeles, CA, your body isn’t getting the oxygen it needs. This can lead to serious health issues if left untreated. Dr. Ishaaya has been treating sleep disorders, like sleep apnea, for more than 20 years. At his private practice, he evaluates problematic sleeping and breathing problems with a sleep apnea consultation. He also provides comprehensive sleep testing in his state-of-the-art sleep lab.

What happens during a sleep apnea consultation?

When you have airway obstructions, your sleep can be affected. Breathing through your mouth or nose can lead to sleep apnea. However, there are treatments for this sleep disorder. At Dr. Ishaaya Centers in Los Angeles, CA, we treat patients with mild or moderate symptoms. Recognizing signs of sleep apnea is important for your overall health and something that Dr. Ishaaya specializes in.

During a sleep apnea consultation, he will evaluate his patient’s:

• Weight: Obese patients are more likely to develop sleep apnea. However, patients who are at a healthy weight can also get sleep apnea.

• Age and family history: Older patients are more likely to be diagnosed with sleep apnea, especially men. However, sleep apnea can run in your family.

• Sleep patterns: Dr. Ishaaya will ask you questions about when you wake up, how you wake up (gasping for air or because of snoring), and how often you get a good night’s rest.

Regardless of your age, if you experience daytime sleepiness, you may not be resting well as a result of sleep apnea.

How does sleep apnea affect the body?

Sleep apnea can affect many of the body’s systems, including:

• Respiratory system: When you deprive your body of oxygen when sleeping, asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease symptoms may worsen.

• Endocrine system: People with sleep apnea in Los Angeles, CA are more likely to develop insulin resistance, which can lead to the development of Type II Diabetes.

• Cardiovascular system: Sleep apnea is linked to high blood pressure and obesity, which both increase the strain on health. If you have sleep apnea, you’re more likely to have an abnormal heart rhythm, which increases your risk of stroke.

• Digestive system: You’re more likely to have fatty liver disease or high levels of liver enzymes. Sleep apnea can also worsen gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) symptoms, which can interrupt your sleep too.

It’s important to have a sleep apnea consultation at Dr. Avi Ishaaya Centers in Los Angeles, CA as soon as you experience sleep apnea symptoms.

Treatment for sleep apnea

Patients with risk factors can be screened and tested for sleep apnea by Dr. Ishaaya. He provides sleep testing to diagnose sleep apnea. If it is determined that you have sleep apnea, he can discuss treatment options, such as a positive airway pressure (PAP) therapy, which helps keep your airways open while you sleep. An APAP device can also be used, depending on your needs.

Schedule a sleep apnea consultation to improve your sleep

Are you ready to sleep better? Call Dr. Avi Ishaaya Centers in Los Angeles, CA to schedule a sleep apnea consultation with board-certified physician Dr. Avi Ishaaya. He can assess your health and determine if you have sleep apnea or another sleep disorder to improve your overall health.