Frequently asked questions

Why does sleep apnea occur?

As you go into deep sleep, your jaw and tongue muscles relax. But if your throat isn’t wide enough, those muscles block your breathing airway and limit oxygen intake, which wakes you up.

How common is sleep apnea?

It is more common than you think. If 18 million Americans are affected by sleep apnea, maybe there’s a reason everyone is so tired all the time. Among US adults between the ages of 30 and 70, 26 percent  are estimated to have obstructive sleep apnea, and 75 percent of cases go undiagnosed. And the numbers are rising due to increasing obesity rates. 

When should you see a doctor?

For sleep apnea, you should see a doctor if you or your partner notices any apnea symptoms, you should discuss it with a physician. Sleep apnea can have short and long term effects on quality of life. Your physician may recommend you schedule a sleep study so they can monitor your sleep patterns to properly diagnose your apnea.

For insomnia, you should see a doctor if sleep affects all areas of your daily life so addressing your sleep concerns could benefit other areas of your life. During your visit, your physician may suggest you keep a sleep log, answer a questionnaire or perform a sleep study to better understand your sleep pattern.

For restless leg syndrome, you should see a doctor if you are seeing an impact in other areas of your life.

Are their various types of narcolepsy? 

Yes. There are two types:

  • Type 1- During the day, you feel excessive sleepiness and may have sudden loss of muscle tone that is triggered by a strong emotion.
  • Type 2- Type 2 differs from Type 1 in that you experience excessive sleepiness but do not experience loss of muscle tone. Taking a nap will leave you feeling refreshed.