Sleep Forum Slated at BRMC
“Diagnosis of Obstructive Sleep Apnea” will be the topic of a free Sleep Forum held Wednesday, May 5, 6 p.m., in Bradford Regional Medical Center’s (BRMC’s) third-floor Room B in the Human Resource Center.
The guest speaker will be Frank Arnal, M.D., who specializes in pulmonary and sleep medicine.
Sleep apnea is a sleep disorder characterized by pauses in breathing. Each episode lasts long enough that one or more breaths are missed.
There are two types of sleep apnea. Obstructive sleep apnea is the more common form and is caused by a blockage of the airway, usually when the soft tissue in the back of the throat collapses during sleep. Central sleep apnea is caused when the brain fails to signal the muscles to breathe due to instability in the respiratory control center.
Sleep apnea symptoms that others may notice include: episodes of not breathing, which may range from five to 50 times an hour; loud snoring; restless tossing and turning during sleep; and nighttime choking and gasping spells.
High-risk factors for sleep apnea are being overweight, age 40 and older, gastroesophageal reflux, nasal obstruction due to a deviated septum, allergies or sinus problems, or if there’s a family history of sleep apnea.
If left untreated, sleep apnea can result in growing health problems, including high blood pressure, stroke, heart failure, irregular heart beats and heart attacks, diabetes and depression.
For more information about sleep apnea and diagnostic services available at BRMC’s Sleep Clinic, contact Penny Oyler, director of Cardiopulmonary Services, at 362-8268.
The guest speaker will be Frank Arnal, M.D., who specializes in pulmonary and sleep medicine.
Sleep apnea is a sleep disorder characterized by pauses in breathing. Each episode lasts long enough that one or more breaths are missed.
There are two types of sleep apnea. Obstructive sleep apnea is the more common form and is caused by a blockage of the airway, usually when the soft tissue in the back of the throat collapses during sleep. Central sleep apnea is caused when the brain fails to signal the muscles to breathe due to instability in the respiratory control center.
Sleep apnea symptoms that others may notice include: episodes of not breathing, which may range from five to 50 times an hour; loud snoring; restless tossing and turning during sleep; and nighttime choking and gasping spells.
High-risk factors for sleep apnea are being overweight, age 40 and older, gastroesophageal reflux, nasal obstruction due to a deviated septum, allergies or sinus problems, or if there’s a family history of sleep apnea.
If left untreated, sleep apnea can result in growing health problems, including high blood pressure, stroke, heart failure, irregular heart beats and heart attacks, diabetes and depression.
For more information about sleep apnea and diagnostic services available at BRMC’s Sleep Clinic, contact Penny Oyler, director of Cardiopulmonary Services, at 362-8268.
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