About Sleep Study
Sleep apnea is a common disorder that often goes undiagnosed. The Bath Community Hospital Sleep Lab may reveal nighttime symptoms that may indicate sleep apnea, a potentially serious sleep disorder in which breathing repeatedly stops and starts. Sleep apnea increases your risk for high blood pressure, congestive heart failure, diabetes, depression, and stroke.
The main types of sleep apnea are:
- Obstructive sleep apnea,the more common form that occurs when throat muscles relax
- Central sleep apnea,which occurs when your brain doesn’t send proper signals to the muscles that control breathing
- Complex sleep apnea syndrome,also known as treatment-emergent central sleep apnea, which occurs when someone has both obstructive sleep apnea and central sleep apnea
If you think you might have sleep apnea, see your Primary Care Provider. Treatment can ease your symptoms and might help prevent heart problems and other complications.
The most common signs and symptoms of sleep apnea include:
- Loud snoring
- Episodes in which you stop breathing during sleep
- Gasping for air during sleep
- Awakening with a dry mouth
- Morning headache
- Difficulty staying asleep (insomnia)
- Excessive daytime sleepiness (hypersomnia)
- Difficulty paying attention while awake
- Irritability
A referral is necessary to schedule a sleep lab study. For more information, Contact the Bath Community Hospital Sleep Lab at 540-839-7056.