What Everyone Needs to Know about Sleep Apnea
Meridian Center for Sleep Medicine
Meridian Center for Sleep
Medicine
Meridian Center for Sleep
Medicine, a service of Meridian
Neuroscience, consists of five
state-of-the-art facilities affiliated
with Jersey Shore University
Medical Center, Ocean Medical
Center, Southern Ocean Medical
Center, and Bayshore Community
Hospital. We are committed to
providing first class sleep
diagnostics and treatment. Our
centers are staffed by board
certified experts in sleep medicine
who can evaluate, diagnose, and
treat your sleeping problems.
Additionally, our nurse navigators
can guide you through the whole
process.
With convenient locations
throughout Monmouth and Ocean
counties, Meridian Center for Sleep
Medicine locations are close to
home, so you can feel at ease
during your overnight sleep study.
To schedule an appointment,
please call 855-855-0334. For
more information or to find a
physician, visit
MeridianWellRested.com
Rev. 8/11/15
What is sleep apnea?
Sleep apnea is a serious and potentially-life threatening breathing disorder,
characterized by brief interruptions of breathing during sleep.
Those most likely to be affected by sleep apnea are those who snore loudly,
are overweight, have high blood pressure, or have some physical
abnormality in the nose, throat, or other parts of the upper airway. The use
of alcohol and sleeping pills may also increase the frequency of sleep apnea.
There are two types of sleep apnea:
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Central sleep apnea– which occurs when the brain fails to send the
appropriate signals to the muscles to initiate breathing.
Obstructive sleep apnea– occurs when air cannot flow into or out of
the person’s nose or mouth, although efforts to breathe continue.
Recognizing the symptoms
It is important to recognize signs of sleep apnea as it may be associated with
serious health conditions such as irregular heartbeat, high blood pressure,
heart attack, stroke, daytime sleepiness, and increased risk of motor vehicle
accidents. Some characteristics include:
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A number of involuntary breathing pauses or “apneic events” during a
single night’s sleep (20-30 per hour) and almost always accompanied by
snoring*
Choking sensations
Frequent interruptions of deep sleep, leading to early morning headaches
and excessive daytime sleepiness
During an apneic event (an event where you stop breathing), your body will
“wake you up” as a signal for you to start breathing again. This may be
accompanied by a loud snort or gasp. This awakening prevents you from
falling into a deep restorative sleep which can cause a number of other
health concerns including obesity, diabetes, heart disease and depression.
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Sleep Apnea Screening Tool
Sleep Apnea Screening Tool
You’re Not Alone
Nearly 70 million Americans
suffer from some form of sleep
disorder. While the effects of
some sleep disorders may be
minor, disorders such as sleep
apnea may have a serious effect on
your overall health, including an
increased risk of cardiovascular
problems.
If you answer “yes” to any of the
questions below or experience any
of the symptoms on the right talk
to your doctor about an in-lab
sleep study to test for sleep apnea.
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Do you snore?
Do you have disrupted
breathing while sleeping?
Are you often tired during the
day?
Do you lose focus easily
during the day?
Do you run out of energy
quickly?
Do you have high blood
pressure?
Do you smoke?
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T
O
P
B
A
N
G
Questions
Do you snore loudly? (Louder
than talking or loud enough to
be heard through closed doors)
Do you often feel tired,
fatigued, or sleepy during the
day?
Has anyone noticed you have
obstruction (stop breathing) of
air during sleep?
Do you have high blood
pressure?
Is your BMI greater than 30?
Are you over the age of 50?
Is the circumference of your
neck greater than 16.5?
What is your gender? (Males
are slightly more likely to have
sleep apnea than females)
Yes
No
Comments
Questions and notes for my doctor
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