SLEEP APNEA
Sleep Apnea is a potentially serious medical condition in which a person will stop breathing for a small period of time during sleep. It currently affects more than 30 million Americans, but many still don't know they have it. Sleep Apnea is closely linked to obesity, heart disease, hypertension, Type 2 diabetes, metabolic disorders, and mood disorders.
There are 3 types of sleep apnea recognized today:
- Obstructive Sleep Apnea: This is the most common type, usually occurs when the airway is blocked in the back of the throat during sleep. It can happen to men, women, or children, but it is more common in men.
- Central Sleep Apnea: This type of sleep apnea occurs when the central nervous system fails to send signals to to activate the respiratory muscles.
- Mixed Sleep Apnea: This is when a person has a combination of both Obstructive Sleep Apnea and Central Sleep Apnea.
There are several factors that increase the risk of developing sleep apnea:
- Excess weight
- Being a male
- Smoking
- Age
- Family history
- Use of alcohol or other sedatives
- Nasal congestion
- Heart conditions
- Type 2 diabetes
- Chronic lung conditions
- History of stroke
- Other underlying health conditions
Depending on the severity of the Sleep Apnea, treatments will range from lifestyle changes to using medical devices such as CPAPs or BiPAPs. In some cases of, surgical procedures may be recommended.
So how can acupuncture help with Sleep Apnea?
In most cases, acupuncture treatments can help improve and support current medical treatments. Acupuncture treatments can help strengthen the muscles of the tongue, fight inflammation, and help a person improve respiratory functions. In many cases, people getting acupuncture in conjunction with medical treatment, will feel an improvement in the severity of their sleep apnea.
What should I look for when searching for an acupuncturist to help with my Sleep Apnea?
- Make sure the acupuncturist is licensed in Arizona
- Studied and trained in an accredited acupuncture school
- Additional education/training
- NCCAOM certification in acupuncture
Call or text us at (480) 630-1977 to learn more or to request an appointment.