Sleep-related breathing disorders are conditions that directly effects a person's ability to breathe whilst they sleep.
Some of these conditions cause no more than a little discomfort. However, certain conditions, particularly if left untreated or unmanaged, can have a serious impact on your health.
Such disorders can directly impact the oxygen and carbon dioxide levels in your blood. Not only can sleep be significantly disrupted, preventing your body from maintaining optimum physical health.
There are several types of sleep-related breathing disorders. Their causes, symptoms and treatments varying dependent on the patient. If you have any concerns about a sleep-related breathing condition, book an appointment with one of our expert Private GPs now.
Obstructive sleep apnea
Affecting up to 30% of adults, obstructive sleep apnea is one of the most common sleep-related breathing disorders. Occurring when the airway repeatedly collapses during sleep, OSA symptoms include:
If left untreated, such symptoms may lead to cardiovascular problems such as high blood pressure and a stroke.
Children and infants can also suffer from obstructive sleep apnea. Unlike adults however, sleep apnea in children is far more likely to occur due an enlargement of their tonsils and adenoids.
Loud snoring
Noisy or laboured breathing
Gasping or snorting
Excessive sleepiness during the day
Your private sleep-related breathing disorder treatment experience
Being an extremely common condition means there is a range of effective treatment options available in addressing obstructive sleep apnea and controlling its symptoms.
At the Whitehall Clinic, we begin by assessing your history of symptoms. You can provide these with the help from someone who has witnessed your sleeping habits. Our specialist consultants will then design a treatment plan personally catered to your unique condition. For more severe cases of sleep apnea, our consultants may recommend a health screening appointment that will detect any underlying conditions causing your breathing complications.
For milder cases of sleep apnea, our specialists will target lifestyle changes such as weight loss or smoking frequency.
However, if the symptoms persist a number of other options are available such as continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP), in which a machine is used to keep your airways open thus preventing apnea and snoring.
Surgery may also be an option for patients with OSA, but this is only recommended if the other treatments have failed over at least a 3-month period.
Quality sleep-related breathing disorder treatment in Leeds
At The Whitehall Clinic, our specialist private consultant Dr Paul Whitaker is an expert in respiratory medicine, treating patients who suffer from chronic coughs, respiratory allergies, asthma and COPD.
So, whether it's obstructive sleep apnea or other sleep-related breathing disorders such as central sleep apnea, sleep-related hypoventilation or snoring, The Whitehall Clinic Leeds will provide you with the world class treatments you need and deserve. Get in touch with The Whitehall Clinic today by calling us on 0113 833 4900 or please send an email to hello@whitehallclinic.com. Alternatively, please book an appointment online now and we look forward to seeing you soon.
