Who Is At Risk For Sleep Apnea?

Generally speaking, anyone can be at risk for developing a sleep disorder, including obstructive sleep apnea. OSA is a growing health concern today affecting men, women and even children. Although snoring is often considered a key symptom of sleep apnea, there are other signs that you should be aware of to enable you to seek treatment as early as possible. Treating OSA is important because of the associated health risks, including sudden heart attack and stroke. The key to a proper diagnosis and effective treatment is to undergo a sleep study that is coordinated by a medical professional with experience in treating sleep related disorders. Dr. Harper works closely with local physicians to help the patients of Coastal Virginia Sleep Solutions receive the proper diagnosis and recommended treatment.

Common Risk Factors for Sleep Apnea

There are several major risk factors that can impact your chances of developing a sleep disorder:

• Male gender
• Overweight, obese
• Large neck circumference
• Hypertensive, high blood pressure
• Diabetic
• Smoker

Patients with sleep apnea also notice that they feel groggy in the morning, tired throughout the day and changes in the moods or ability to concentrate. These symptoms can slowly erode your quality of life and put your physical well being at risk.

If you feel that you fit into one of these categories or have been told by your partner that you snore, consider coming in for a screening. Dr. Harper will provide a thorough evaluation of your oral health to look for common oral signs of a sleep disorder and discuss your overall health history and lifestyle habits. An experienced dentist with advanced training in the diagnosis and treatment of TMJ and other complex dental problems, Dr. Harper has partnered with local sleep medicine specialists to coordinate leading care for our patients.