Chiropractic services and active care spinal treatments involve many aspects of spinal care. Chiropractic care can also impact many parts of the body beyond the spine and nervous system. Every part of the body is controlled by the brain and spinal cord. Ensuring the spine is properly cared for can help other issues and problems, including the potentially deadly condition, sleep apnea. For residents in and around the San Antonio area, we can help you understand sleep apnea.
Warning Signs of Sleep Apnea
One thing that makes sleep apnea difficult to treat in many cases is that someone can suffer from mild apnea for years without ever knowing that something is wrong. The most common indications of apnea include loud constant snoring, pauses in breathing during deep sleep, a dry and sore throat in the morning, waking up gasping for breath, and feeling tired even with hours of sleep. Someone living alone may find it hard to notice some of these warning signs until the apnea gets quite severe.
Causes of Sleep Apnea
There is much that the medical community is still learning about sleep apnea and its causes. We have made great progress with diagnostics and are gaining a better understanding of what can lead to the development of this sleep disorder. There a number of factors that can cause sleep apnea or make someone more prone to the condition. The biggest risk factors include obesity, smoking, having GERD, severe stomach issues, pre-existing lung disorders, and a family history of sleep apnea or other sleep disorders.
Risks of Sleep Apnea
Sleep apnea is a serious medical condition that can have major health impacts when it goes untreated for long periods of time. When you have apnea, your blood oxygen levels drop and if they drop too low, problems with your heart, lungs, brain, and other vital organs can occur. Disrupt sleep caused by the many micro periods of wakefulness that happen with apnea can stress the body and cause issues with mood, mental focus, high blood pressure, and can worsen issues such as chronic pain, diabetes, and more.
Sleep Apnea Treatments
Thanks to continued research and advanced treatment options, we can help treat the symptoms of sleep apnea. Most treatments focus on keeping the airways open so you can breathe throughout the night. The use of a CPAP machine is the most common treatment. Here at Dr. Phillips Chiropractic Nutrition and Wellness, we can also help treat your apnea with spinal adjustments and manipulation to ensure your spine is in good working order and all of your body's systems are balanced and functioning optimally.