Sleep Disorders

Sleep and snoring disorders are extremely common in Bahrain with many people complaining of snoring and poor sleep regularly. An estimated 50-70 million people in the US have a sleep disorder. Fortunately sleep disorders are treatable often with non-invasive procedures such as CPAP therapy. Our team of sleep experts work to give you a better nights sleep no matter your age or problem.

Sleep & Snoring disorders

We treat the following sleep disorders:

Obstructive Sleep Apnea risk factors:

Age and Gender

Important Information:

• A recent study by the National Sleep Foundation concluded that 26% of the adult population has a high risk of having Obstructive Sleep Apnea.
• Sleep apnea affects both males and females of all ages.
• Men are twice as likely to have sleep apnea as women. However, the risk for women rises after menopause.
• Some studies have shown that a family history of sleep apnea increases your risk 2-4 times.

Height and Weight

Important Information:

• BMI 18.5-24-normal, 25-29-overweight, 30-35-obese I, 36-40-obese II, >40-morbidly obese.
• Obesity is a particular risk factor for sleep apnea. The more obese a person is, the greater their risk for sleep apnea.
• Even if your weight is considered within normal range, 20% of sleep apnea patients are not obese.
• Discuss with your physician weight loss options.
• Discuss with your physician an exercise routine.

Blood Pressure

Important Information:

• Ranges for Blood Pressure (Systolic/Diastolic)

130-139/85-90 High Normal 120/80 Optimal 140-159/91-99 Hypertension Stage 1 Mild 120-129/80-85 Normal 160-179/100-109 Hypertension Stage 2 Moderate 180-209/110-119 Hypertension Stage 3 Severe 210 or above/120 or above Hypertension Stage 4 Very Severe

• Obstructive sleep apnea has been shown to cause high blood pressure.
• If you are on more than one blood pressure pill, your risk of sleep apnea is even higher.

Neck Size

Important Information:

• A neck size >17 in for males and >16 in for females has been shown to increase a person’s chance to have obstructive sleep apnea.
• For people with a large neck size the soft tissue in the back of the throat commonly collapses during sleep and narrows the airway, causing them to momentarily stop breathing.

Snoring

Important Information:

• Snoring or gasping can be a sign of obstructive sleep apnea.
• A person may not know that they snore or stop breathing. You must ask your bed partner and believe them!
• Many people snore. It is estimated that approximately 30-50% of the US population snores at some time.
• Excessive snoring and/or gasping during sleep are symptoms of sleep apnea.
• Obstructive sleep apnea is fairly common. 1 in 5 adults has at least mild sleep apnea and 1 in 15 adults has at least moderate. Sleep apnea also affects 1-3% of children.

Fatigued

Important Information:

• National Highway Traffic Safety Administration conservatively estimates that 100,000 police-reported crashes are the direct result of driver fatigue each year. This results in an estimated 1,550 deaths, 71,000 injuries, and $12.5 billion in monetary losses.
• Fatigue can also be a sign of sleep apnea.
• You may not be sleepy, but can still have fatigue.

Smoking

Important Information:

• Is your smoking an issue for sleep apnea?
• Smoking increase your risk of developing sleep apnea by causing inflammation and fluid buildup in the upper airway which can worsen sleep apnea.

Other Health Issues

Important Information:

• Obstructive sleep apnea has been associated with an increased risk for stroke, irregular heart rhythms, sugar control and change in your metabolism.
• Sleep apnea is also associated with mood changes. Poor sleep can affect depression and/or anxiety.
• If you have one of these medical problems you need to be screened for sleep apnea.