About 30 million people in the United States have sleep apnea, a sleep disorder that can reduce or completely stop airflow during sleep. Uncontrolled obstructive sleep apnea, in particular, can lead to life-threatening conditions, such as high blood pressure, stroke and coronary artery disease.

Advanced Sleep Care Solution To Help You Sleep Better

Getting a good night’s sleep may sound like a dream to some people. Whether you have a partner who suffers from sleep apnea symptoms or are constantly tired and sleepy during the daytime, sleep deficiency can severely affect your daily life and long-term health.

For those experiencing sleep disorders like sleep apnea, Piedmont Medical Center in Fort Mill, South Carolina, can help. We offer a full range of healthcare services, including Inspire Therapy, that are designed to evaluate, diagnose, treat and help you manage sleep disorders.

How Inspire Therapy for Sleep Apnea Works

Piedmont Medical Center now offers Inspire Upper Airway Stimulation therapy, an implantable alternative to the CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure) breathing device by delivering mild stimulation to key airway muscles, allowing you to breathe normally and effectively. Some of the advantages of Inspire Therapy are:

• Same-day surgery in an outpatient setting for most patients
• A system that includes components that work together to monitor your breathing and clears your airway during sleep
• Clinically proven safe and effective in reducing sleep apnea events

For more information about Piedmont Medical Center’s Inspire Therapy for sleep apnea treatment, contact us at 844-975-2089.

What Is Sleep Apnea?

Sleep apnea is a common sleep disorder that affects your breathing during sleep. It causes your breathing to stop and restart many times while you sleep, making it hard for your body to get enough oxygen. Breathing pauses generally last at least 10 seconds but can also last for a few minutes and may occur 30 times or more an hour throughout the night.

Types of Sleep Apnea

There are two types of sleep apnea, both of which require treatment. These are:

• Obstructive sleep apnea – the most common type of sleep apnea that occurs when the upper airway collapses or becomes blocked many times during sleep, reducing or completely stopping airflow. Obstructive sleep apnea can severely impact a person’s cardiovascular and mental health, quality of life and driving safety.
• Central sleep apnea – a breathing disorder that occurs when the brain has trouble regulating a person’s breathing. Central sleep apnea is characterized by abrupt awakenings, shortness of breath, insomnia, excessive sleepiness, difficulty concentrating and mood changes.

Obstructive sleep apnea is caused by conditions that block airflow through the upper airways during sleep, such as when a person’s tongue falls backward and blocks the airway. Central sleep apnea is caused by problems with the way the brain controls breathing during sleep.

What Causes Sleep Apnea?

Other factors that increase a person’s risk of sleep apnea include:

• Age – sleep apnea can affect people of all ages, but as a person ages, fatty tissue can build up in the neck and the tongue, which may cause breathing problems.
• Gender – men are more prone to sleep apnea than women. They are more likely to have severe sleep apnea and have it at a younger age.
• Family history and genetics – sleep apnea can be inherited. Cleft lip and cleft palate, Down syndrome and congenital central hypoventilation syndrome can lead to sleep apnea.
• Lifestyle habits – drinking alcohol in excess and smoking can cause inflammation and affect the brain and upper airway. Long-term opioid use can cause problems with how the brain controls sleep.
• Medical conditions such as endocrine disorders, hormonal changes and obesity.
• Certain body features, such as large tonsils and a thick neck.
• Premature birth – babies born before 37 weeks of pregnancy have a higher risk of breathing problems during sleep, but the risk gets lower as the baby gets older in most cases.

How Serious Is Sleep Apnea?

Quality of sleep is as important as getting enough sleep daily. The brain has a drainage system that removes toxins during sleep, like a kidney eliminating waste from the body. Most of the body’s processes use sleep as a time for repair. Sleep deficiency interferes with these processes and can cause harm to a person over time or instantly (such as a car crash or a work-related incident). There is also evidence that sleep apnea can cause left ventricular diastolic dysfunction, which increases the risk of heart failure. Sleep apnea can also lead to depression, suicide and risky behaviors.

How To Tell if You Have Sleep Apnea?

When your sleep is interrupted throughout the night, you may find yourself with sleep apnea symptoms, such as:

• Daytime sleepiness and tiredness
• Dry mouth or headaches
• Sexual dysfunction or decreased libido
• Waking up often during the night to urinate

Your partner may also alert you of the following symptoms:

• Breathing that starts and stops during sleep
• Frequent loud snoring
• Gasping for air during sleep

If you think you have sleep apnea symptoms, talk to your healthcare provider to better understand your condition. During your initial consultation, your doctor will ask about your symptoms, risk factors and whether you have a family history of sleep apnea. Keeping a sleep diary can help you keep track of how much and how well you sleep, which can help your doctor diagnose the condition. Your doctor may also refer you to a sleep specialist or go to a sleep center to help diagnose which type of sleep apnea you may have and how serious it is.

Insurances and Payment Plan Options

Piedmont Medical Center accepts various insurance plans and offers options for a flexible payment plan to help you get the quality care you need. Our payment plans cover most treatments and procedures. We have dedicated staff to address your insurance and billing questions and make financial arrangements. Please call 803-329-1234 or visit our patient financial resources page for billing and insurance questions. You may contact your insurance provider directly if you have specific questions about your coverage.

Find Better Sleep in Fort Mill, SC

Our goal is to help you stay on top of your health always. If you have been diagnosed with sleep apnea or have symptoms of another condition, we offer quality care through compassionate service and some of the latest technology and procedures available today at Piedmont Medical Center. Click on this link or call 844-975-2089 to find a sleep apnea doctor in Fort Mill. If it is an emergency, please call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room.