Sleep Apnea Clinic in Mishawaka, IN
Koala® Center For Sleep & TMJ Disorders offers comprehensive treatment for sleep apnea. Call or visit us online to book an appointment. We serve patients from Mishawaka IN, Woodland IN, Jamestown IN, Granger, IN, Elkhart IN and Ardmore IN.
Table of Contents:
How long will it take to reverse damage from sleep apnea?
What does sleep apnea do to the brain?
What are the negative effects of sleep apnea?
Where can I find a sleep apnea clinic in Mishawaka IN?
A sleep apnea clinic is a medical facility where doctors and medical staff have unique knowledge in the treatment of sleep disorders that affect breathing during sleep. Sleep apnea can cause many serious medical health problems over time, so it is important to find a sleep apnea clinic that specializes in the treatment of this disorder and that can provide a high quality of care. When properly treated, sleep apnea can be effectively managed and a good quality of sleep can be achieved.
Severe sleep apnea can lead to brain damage, and fortunately, it can be reversed. However, the time it takes to reverse the damage caused by sleep apnea is different in every situation and is highly dependent on the severity of sleep apnea, how long it has been present, and the overall health of the patient. Results from studies looking at the link between brain damage and sleep apnea show that participants with severe, untreated sleep apnea had a significant reduction in white matter fiber integrity in multiple areas of the brain; this brain damage was characterized by impairments to cognition, mood changes and a reduction in daytime alertness. Three months of CPAP therapy produced limited improvements to damaged brain structures, however, after 12 months of CPAP therapy, it led to an almost complete reversal of white matter abnormalities. Treatment also produced significant improvements in mood, alertness, quality of life, and nearly all cognitive tests.
Many people are familiar with the physical side effects of sleep apnea, like heart disease, high blood pressure and diabetes. But what fewer people realize is that obstructive sleep apnea can do as much damage to the brain as it does to the heart. Sleep apnea can cause changes in brain matter and damage to neurons, which can lead to memory loss and other cognitive complications. Recent studies have shown that sleep apnea also changes the levels of neurotransmitters in the brain, and more stands to be discovered about the complications of this condition. Sleep apnea can cause:
– Memory Loss — Primarily due to the lack of restorative sleep from waking up multiple times an hour throughout the entire night, people with sleep apnea tend to experience a range of daytime mental symptoms, including fatigue, shortened attention span, mood changes, and particularly, reduced short-term recall.
– Changes to the Shape of the Brain — The mental symptoms of sleep apnea are more serious than the temporary grogginess caused by drowsiness; when the subject stops breathing, it starves the brain of oxygen, which can cause physical brain damage. Furthermore, when studying the brains of subjects with OSA, researchers discovered a decrease in both gray and white matter, which could be responsible for poor memory, emotional disturbances, decreased cognitive functioning, and increased cardiovascular agitation.
– Changes to How the Brain Works — Sleep apnea can also affect how the brain functions in a variety of ways. First, sleep apnea can cause injury to the insular cortex of the brain. This subsequently affects the levels of two important neurotransmitters: glutamate and gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA). Researchers found an increase in glutamate, which is a chemical that causes damage in high doses, and they also saw a drop in GABA, which is responsible for calming down the nervous system and reducing agitation.
Sleep apnea can cause both physical effects and psychological effects, including:
Physical effects of sleep apnea include:
– Chronic loud snoring
– Waking in the night, gasping for air
– Waking up with a headache or dry mouth
– Restlessness and insomnia
– Fluctuating oxygen levels during the night
– Stresses the heart, which can cause:
high blood pressure
stroke
heart attack
– Exacerbates other underlying health conditions, like asthma
Psychological effects of sleep apnea include:
– Impedes concentration and attentiveness
– Negatively affects the ability to be present
– Irritability
– Inability to control and balance one’s moods
– Increases the risk of anxiety and depression
If you are looking for a trusted and established sleep apnea clinic in Mishawaka, IN come to Koala® Center For Sleep & TMJ Disorders today! Our team is experienced in treating sleep apnea and can help you regain control over your condition.
Additional Services You May Need
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