It's Sleep Apnea Awareness Month, and specialist Dr. Evan Temkin stopped by Cheddar News to talk about what the condition is and who is most at risk.
"Sleep apnea is actually a constriction of the airway during sleep, where breathing is interrupted," he said. "Pretty much everybody is at risk."
It affects about 50 percent of the population, he added.
Temkin stressed the importance of getting tested and treated as soon as possible, as prolonged sleep apnea has "cardiac implications."
"When you're not getting enough oxygen to the vital organs, your heart is going to start pumping harder," he said, which taxes the muscle layers in the heart.
The most common treatment for sleep apnea is the use of a CPAP machine, which fits over the nose and mouth to ensure adequate airflow while sleeping, but Temkin noted that it's not the only option.
"One of the big problems with CPAP is compliance," he said. "It's uncomfortable."
One alternative is what's called an "oral appliance," which treats sleep apnea by stabilizing the lower jaw and positioning it a few millimeters forward. This can, in many cases, open up the airway, making it easier for people to breathe freely.
Of course, those experiencing symptoms should see a specialist to see which method is best.
Nearly a day after being downgraded from a tropical storm, Ophelia still threatened parts of the Northeast on Sunday with coastal flooding, life-threatening waves and heavy rain from Washington to New York City, the National Hurricane Center said.
Surgeons have transplanted a pig’s heart into a dying man in a bid to prolong his life – only the second patient to ever undergo such an experimental feat. Two days later, the man was cracking jokes and able to sit in a chair, Maryland doctors said Friday.
Tropical Storm Ophelia formed off the mid-Atlantic coast and was expected to bring heavy rain, storm surge and windy conditions over the weekend, the National Hurricane Center said Friday.
A storm churning in waters off the eastern U.S. has increased to tropical storm strength and is forecast to reach the North Carolina coast Friday morning, the National Hurricane Center said.
