Previously we discussed how not all patients with sleep apnea fit the typical profile of someone suffering from the sleep disorder. The notion that mostly middle aged, overweight men are the ones likely to develop sleep apnea is a misconception that often leads to misdiagnosis in atypical patients with sleep apnea.

And while it's true that heavyset men over the age of 40 are the highest "at risk" group for having sleep apnea, it by no means is a comprehensive representation of all sleep apnea sufferers.

For example, women with sleep apnea are often mistreated for other sleep disorders such as insomnia because many general practitioners hold tight to the belief that women aren't as likely to have sleep apnea as men.

Here we hope to shed light on how age plays a role in the development of sleep apnea, and symptoms, diagnosis, and treatments that my differ based on a patient's age.

Does this scenario sound familiar?  You have a snoring problem.  You come into a sleep lab to have a sleep study conducted and find out you have been diagnosed with sleep apnea.

The next thought is “ok, so how do I treat my sleep apnea?”

The most common way to treat sleep apnea is to be put on a positive airway pressure (PAP) machine while you sleep.  PAP Therapy involves placing a small mask or nasal pillows over the nose or nose and mouth and blowing compressed air into the lungs.

PAP machines are also known as Durable Medical Equipment (DME).  DME is the medical term for long lasting medical equipment prescribed by a doctor for use in your home. 

There are many tips and tricks that you can implement to help you get to sleep every night. Many of them come in the form of practicing good sleep hygiene, which are basic habits that one can apply to their nightly routines that promote getting great sleep at night. One of the most underrated sleep hygiene practices that really goes far in improving quality sleep is making the right dietary choices.

Have you been told by your bedpartner that your legs move frequently while you sleep? Have you noticed that you're feeling tired during the day, even after you've had a full night's sleep? If so, it's possible that you may be suffering from periodic limb movement disorder (PLMD).

One of the things that makes Alaska such a unique place to live or visit is its amazing summers. Summer time in Alaska is like no other place in the U.S. because of the vast amount of daylight we get. In the northernmost parts of the state the sun refuses to set for nearly a month. In the interior, the sun briefly dips behind the mountains leaving golden hues to hold its place until it returns minutes later. And even in the southern parts of the state, periods of darkness are so short, that if you blink, you could miss it.