Today, we will look at how STOP-Bang can help identify sleep apnea patterns and problems. When the muscles in the back of your throat relax too much, they do not allow for normal breathing. The muscles support your mouth roof (soft palate), the hanging tissue from the soft palate (uvula), the tongue, and the tonsils.

When these muscles are relaxed, the airway narrows as you breathe which lowers the level of oxygen in your blood causing a buildup of carbon dioxide. Your brain is triggered by the impairment in breathing which rouses you from sleep. Snorting, choking, or gasping is correcting the problem with a few deep breaths.

“This pattern can repeat itself five to 30 times or more each hour, all night long. These disruptions impair your ability to reach the desired deep, restful phases of sleep, and you'll probably feel sleepy during your waking hours.”

If you are one of the 18 million adults in the United States who have obstructive sleep apnea, getting a good night’s sleep can be incredibly challenging. To lead a good quality of life, it’s vital that you are well-rested throughout the night, helping to boost energy levels and stamina.

Sleep is considered a basic human biological function, which is crucial to your overall health, including the proper functioning of the respiratory system. The primary respiratory organ is the lungs. Since it alters gas exchange and ventilation, our breathing pattern is believed to be affected by sleep disorders.

Sleep apnea is a disorder that is often not understood by doctors who are not a specialist in the field of sleep disorders. On top of that, not many people are knowledgeable on the subject matter. Thus, it can be difficult for people with sleep apnea to apply for life insurance. 

Do you find yourself waking often in the middle of the night gasping for breath? Are you chronically tired during the day and often fight to stay awake? Or has your partner told you that you snore loudly every night and often stop breathing in your sleep? At The Alaska Sleep Clinic, we receive questions like these all the time. And like our patients, if you've answered yes to any of these questions, you could possibly be suffering from a medical condition known as Obstructive Sleep Apnea(OSA).