Patients and Families

About sleep apnea

Sleep problems plague up to 40 percent of the adult population. Sleep impacts the body’s ability to fight off illnesses and is essential to physical and emotional well-being.

Interrupted sleep caused by sleep disorders can often have medical consequences. In addition to the annoying symptoms of daytime sleepiness, morning headaches, irritability and work difficulties, disorders like sleep apnea can lead to serious health risks like cardiac problems, driving accidents, stroke, high blood pressure, impotence and even unexplained death in your sleep.

Sleep apnea is characterized by a partial or complete collapse of the upper airway during sleep, which can occur frequently throughout the night. Snoring is the symptom of a collapsed airway. Airway collapse results in the cessation of breathing and/or snoring. The patient frequently awakens to reopen the airway and resume normal breathing. These awakenings are sometimes characterized as gasping, choking and/or loud snores. These frequent awakenings are not always recalled by the individual.

In addition to the substantial risks associated with fatigue caused by restless sleep, untreated sleep apnea is directly related to increased incidence of heart disease, stroke, diabetes and many other health conditions.

How to get tested

If you suspect that you or a loved one has sleep apnea, seek medical care. Sleep issues not only deprive you of a restful night’s sleep but can also seriously impact your overall health and well-being. Talk with your primary care provider to see if you should be evaluated.

Is testing paid for?

Most insurances including Medicare cover the testing and treatment related to sleep apnea. Contact your insurance provider for coverage information. Your referring physician office can also verify your coverage at the time the testing is ordered.