Sleep Apnea Treatment Washington, DC Sleep Apnea Treatment Washington, DC

If you suffer from sleep apnea, you should reach out to the Pain Arthritis Relief Center to discuss their sleep apnea treatment Washington, DC residents rely on. When most people think about suffering from a sleep disorder, they likely think of insomnia. However, sleep apnea is a very serious disorder that can cause you a lot of problems in your awake hours. You may believe that you are getting the eight hours you need every night when you go to bed but sleep apnea can cause you to have restless nights where you wake up feeling like you barely got any sleep at all. If you would like help with your sleep apnea, call our office to discuss our Washington, DC sleep apnea treatment. We believe our chiropractors can help you.

What kinds of sleep apnea are there?

When discussing sleep apnea, one of the first things you should know is that there are three common forms of sleep apnea. 

  1. Central Sleep Apnea. Your brain needs to send messages to the rest of your body so that it can function well. When the brain is unable to do this, it may not send out the messages to your muscles about breathing properly. 
  2. Obstructive Sleep Apnea. This form is a physical blockage that occurs when you have sleep apnea because the muscles in your throat relax too much. 
  3. Complex Sleep Apnea. This is a combination of central and obstructive sleep apnea.

What do we look for with sleep apnea?

When you visit our chiropractic office, there are certain things we will look for to determine if you have sleep apnea. Before beginning your Washington, DC sleep apnea treatment, we will want to observe some of the following symptoms:

  • You have problems staying asleep
  • You gasp for air while you sleep
  • You snore loudly
  • A partner or roommate confirms that you stop breathing for certain periods while you sleep
  • You are noticeably irritable

These are just some of the common symptoms of sleep apnea but you may be showing other signs. When you come into the office, we will take a thorough examination and ask you about your medical history before we begin devising a treatment program specific to your sleep apnea needs. 

What are some natural remedies?

We believe it is very important to try to treat sleep apnea as naturally as possible. Many doctors do not try lifestyle modifications when it comes to sleep apnea; instead, they opt for treating their patients with a continuous positive airway pressure machine, also known as a CPAP machine. While this machine may be able to help, it can also make sleeping uncomfortable and can make you feel like you are unable to get close to your partner or loved one. Before you choose to try a CPAP machine or talk with your doctor about surgery, call our office to speak with us about natural remedies for your sleep apnea. We believe that this may be the right option for you. 

Natural Remedies For Sleep Apnea

Below, we discuss some of the natural ways we can help you with your sleep apnea. Do not hesitate to call us to set up your appointment so that we can learn more about you and what is causing your sleep apnea. 

  • Chiropractic Techniques. We get it! You may be wondering how cracking your back can help with your breathing at night. We take great care to learn as much about you as possible when you step into our office, which means we may need to take X-rays and we will ask you about your family’s medical history. If your spine is out of alignment, it could be causing your sleep apnea or making it worse. For example, if the atlas vertebra in your spine is misaligned, it may be causing problems when it comes to your brain sending messages to your body about breathing at night.
  • Weight Loss. We know that weight loss can be an uncomfortable subject and we’re not here to judge you. If you carry excess weight, especially around your throat and neck, it is possible that this is contributing to your sleep apnea. When you carry excess weight in this area it can make it harder to breathe at night. Speak with us about lifestyle changes you want to make to reduce sleep apnea.
  • Adjusting Your Sleep. One of the simplest and quickest things you can do to help reduce sleep apnea is adjusting the way you sleep. This may mean that you need to sleep in a sideways position or it may mean that you need to raise the top of your bed. Doing both of these things can help change your position enough to where you are not flat on your back.

The Dangers of Sleep Apnea

You might know about the many different dangers associated with habits, products, or conditions. One of the less known dangers is associated with untreated sleep apnea. According to the American Sleep Apnea Association, there are an estimated 22 million Americans who have obstructive sleep apnea. About 80 percent of these people do not know they have the condition, and/or do not treat it. The dangers associated with sleep apnea are numerous. Yet, with simple sleep apnea treatment in Washington, DC, most of these dangers can be reduced or eliminated. 

Signs of Sleep Apnea

One of the primary reasons sleep apnea treatment in Washington, DC is not sought by sufferers is because many of them don’t realize they have it. Yet, they are often suffering from the signs and symptoms of sleep apnea. All too often the symptoms are blamed on diet, lack of exercise, or stress. A person might even consider their symptoms as “normal” because they’ve felt them for many years. If you are experiencing any of the following, the possibility of having sleep apnea should be discussed with a doctor. 

  • Snoring – Snoring is a symptom that should not be ignored. In general, it is not a normal sleeping habit and can, but not always, be related to sleep apnea. 
  • Depression – When a person fails to get sufficient sleep, their wellbeing can suffer. There is a strong connection between sleep apnea and depression. This is partly because a person with the condition may lack energy during the day and feel inadequate for this loss. Eventually, they might feel as if they have no control over their sleep and waking hours. 
  • High Blood Pressure – There is a strong link between sleep apnea and cardiovascular conditions. If Washington, DC sleep apnea treatment is not sought, high blood pressure and heart conditions can worsen. 
  • Memory Problems – Sleep apnea can deprive the brain of oxygen. When this happens, for short bursts of times, the inability to focus, as well as memory problems can result. 
  • Ongoing Fatigue – People who have sleep apnea tend to feel tired and fatigued throughout the day. This can affect their mental, physical, and emotional wellbeing. 

Hidden Dangers of Sleep Apnea

Some people believe that even if they have sleep apnea, it’s nothing to be concerned about. This is not true. There are many dangers of sleep apnea, including, but not limited to:

  • Heart disease
  • High blood pressure
  • Stroke
  • Cognitive impairment
  • Memory problems
  • Depression
  • Alzheimers
  • + More

A leading researcher of sleep apnea said that up until the middle 90’s it was thought that there were little to no fatalities associated with sleep apnea. However, it is now believed that this is not true. About ⅓ of sleep apnea patients have hypertension; a condition that can increase the risk of stroke and heart attacks. Because of the hidden dangers and risks of this condition, you should seek sleep apnea treatment in Washington, DC. 

Get Washington, DC Sleep Apnea Treatment Today! 

When you want treatment for your sleep apnea but do not want to go on medication or sleep with a CPAP machine, we want to help. We can discuss how our spinal adjustments can help your brain communicate with the rest of your body better. For more information on our sleep apnea treatment in Washington, DC, please contact the Pain Arthritis Relief Center now.