If left unchecked, sleep disorders can cause dangerous daytime drowsiness and serious health conditions like cardiovascular issues, high blood pressure, diabetes, stroke, and depression. A sleep study helps your healthcare team determine a treatment plan to get you on the road to your healthiest – and most rested -- self.
Here are the top signs you may need a sleep study:
Snoring: The occasional episode of snoring is common and could be caused by congestion, being overweight, or alcohol consumption. But if you snore regularly, and very loudly, there could be something more going on. Not all people who snore have sleep apnea, but the two are very much related.
Sleepiness/fatigue during the day: This could happen with any number of sleep disorders, including sleep apnea and narcolepsy. It could be the result of restless sleep, trouble falling asleep or trouble staying asleep.
Gasping, choking or snorting sounds: This is because of a blockage in your airway (obstructive sleep apnea) or because the brain doesn’t send the right signals (central sleep apnea). As a result, the lack of oxygen causes the survival reflex to kick in, waking you up so that you start breathing again.
Unusual behaviors while sleeping: Sleep walking, sleep talking, nocturnal eating or night terrors are red flags and should be evaluated by your sleep medicine provider.
Take our sleep disorder quiz to learn more.
Hunter Hardin, MSN, BSN, FNP
Sleep Medicine
Baton Rouge General - Louisiana Sleep Foundation
(225) 767-8550