St. Clare's sleep disorders lab was the first to be recognized in the state of Washington and is accredited by the American Academy of Sleep Medicine, the professional medical association representing practitioners of sleep medicine and research. A person with sleep apnea doesn't get enough oxygen while sleeping because their airway is blocked or the chest muscles and diaphragm stop working. This can cause the sufferer to wake up, possibly hundreds of times during the night, as the body struggles for air. The person may or may not remember the episodes the next day. Sleep apnea has serious effects.
Sufferers can be extremely sleepy during the day, causing problems with work and personal life.
They may fall asleep at inappropriate times, even while driving. Long-term consequences can include high blood pressure, heart disease, and stroke. Step 1 - Talk to your doctor or health care provider. Your doctor will consider your medical history and your current symptoms and may talk to your spouse or sleep partner, who can see and hear problems that you aren't aware of while you sleep. Your doctor can make a referral to the sleep disorders labs for further evaluation.