Learning about Sleep Apnea with Shaquille O’Neal

Are you drowsy during the day with no explanation? Do you snore loudly, or wake up breathless in the middle of the night? If so, you may be one of more than twelve million Americans affected by sleep apnea.

Sleep apnea is a condition in which breathing stops periodically during sleep, as many as 20-30 times per hour. (“Apnea” is the Greek word for “without breath.”) If you suffer from sleep apnea, each time your breathing stops, the resulting lack of oxygen alerts your brain, which temporarily wakes you up to restart proper breathing. Because the time spent awake is so brief, most people with sleep apnea don’t remember it – and many think they are getting a good night’s sleep. However, the constant wake-sleep-wake-sleep cycle precludes the deep sleep that refreshes the body, and sufferers are frequently drowsy during the day.

If you suspect that you or someone you know might have sleep apnea, give Skyland Smiles a call and we can refer you to a sleep apnea specialist.

Below is a video that explains the diagnosis and treatment of sleep apnea featuring NBA great, Shaquille O’Neal. Enjoy!