Insomnia can be one of the worst sleep afflictions known to man, but there’s probably a more pervasive form of sleep disorder that affects a large segment of the population: Obstructive Sleep Apnea Los Angeles is home to a fair share of the 18 million Americans diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnea, or OSA; fortunately, the Southern California Pulmonary and Sleep Disorders Medical Center in Thousand Oaks may have the answer to these problems.
When it comes to Sleep Apnea Los Angeles, Los Angeles fares no better or worse than comparable populations across the United States. There are several indications that this particular disorder occurs primarily in obese people; however, this does not rule out the fact that a slim person cannot be affected by it. One thing is certain: life can be hell for the sufferer and the person they share their sleeping space with.
Health Hazards of OSA
One of the major health-related issues with respect to OSA is drowsiness or fatigue during the day. Because sufferers don’t get the kind of rest they need at night, they may end up causing accidents or ‘sleeping on the job.’ Sleep apnea is already known as one of the biggest enemies to corporate productivity, but the problem is far more dangerous than that: drivers of vehicles experiencing this problem are at a much greater risk to themselves and those around them; operators of heavy equipment face heavy consequences if they slip up; in general, this condition takes its toll not only on the person suffering from it, but potentially everyone around them as well.
Current Therapy Choices
The CPAP is currently the most well-known solution for sleep apnea and is considered by many to be the “Gold Standard” for treating the problem, but a lot of people aren’t comfortable with wearing a mask at bedtime. Unfortunately, for many, this isn’t an option. Today, there are several other methods in which the disorder can be controlled – apart from the more drastic option of surgery. At the Thousand Oaks Medical Center, you can explore other choices, such as Provent Therapy EPAP that works in a way similar to CPAP but without the cumbersome compressor and mask. Besides this, there are several oral devices that can help keep the tongue from slipping back and causing further constriction of the airway.
If you’re in Los Angeles and have a pre-diagnosed case of OSA, then visiting the medical center can literally help you sleep better.