Sleep apnea can cause you to stop breathing repeatedly during the night — sometimes dozens or even hundreds of times — without you realizing it. And while loud snoring is a common warning sign, it is not the only one.

In this episode of Baptist HealthTalk, host Dr. Anthony Gonzalez talks with sleep specialist Dr. Edward Mezerhane about how sleep apnea affects the body, the symptoms people often miss, and what can happen when the condition goes untreated.

They also break down how sleep apnea is diagnosed, why weight and airway anatomy matter, what to do if CPAP is difficult to tolerate, and the other treatment options available.

•  What sleep apnea is and how common it may be 
•  Why people can stop breathing without realizing it 
•  Common and overlooked symptoms of sleep apnea 
•  The connection between sleep apnea, weight gain and heart health 
•  Whether losing weight can improve sleep apnea 
•  How sleep studies confirm a diagnosis 
•  Ways to make CPAP easier to tolerate 
•  Alternatives to CPAP, including oral appliances and surgical options 

Sleep apnea is highly treatable. If you regularly wake up exhausted, snore loudly, or a bed partner notices pauses in your breathing, getting evaluated may help improve both your sleep and your long-term health.

For more health and wellness information, visit BaptistHealth.net/News.

Host:
Anthony Gonzalez, M.D.
Chief of Surgery, Baptist Health Baptist Hospital
Medical Director of Bariatric Surgery, Baptist Health

Guest:
Edward Mezerhane, M.D.
Sleep Medicine Physician

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