Vim & Vigor - Winter 2019 - UVA - 4

ASK THE EXPERT BY HOLLY FORD
Eric Davis, MD,

UVA Health
Pulmonologist

BELLOWING BEDFELLOW?

Get Better Sleep

There is no denying loud snoring can put a relationship to
the test. But did you know snoring also may take a toll on
your health? UVA Health pulmonologist Eric Davis, MD, says about
30 to 40 percent of adults snore habitually. "Snoring, by itself, is not
particularly harmful," he says. "But it may be a sign of a more serious
condition." Dr. Davis sheds some light on the risks of snoring.

At uvahealth.com/goodsleep,
learn more about the UVA Sleep
Disorders Center and latest
treatment options, including
an FDA-approved device called
Inspire® hypoglossal nerve stimulator. Like a pacemaker, it has
an electrode connected to the
base of the tongue and can be
turned on and off with a remote.

HOW TO KNOW WHEN SNORING IS
A SERIOUS HEALTH PROBLEM

Q

W IN TER 2 0 1 9

Q

When should a snorer
see a doctor?
See one if you snore but also
wake up gasping for air, if a bed partner witnesses you having periods of
interrupted breathing, or if you have
severe sleepiness or other signs of disrupted sleep.
At UVA Sleep Disorders Center, we
conduct a clinical evaluation combined
with a test in which small sensors monitor bodily functions like heart rate and
oxygen levels while you sleep to diagnose
sleep apnea. We perform traditional
sleep studies in the lab and also have
new technology that allows us to perform sleep studies in people's homes.
Both strategies have advantages depending on the person's preference and

clinical factors. When someone has difficulty sleeping, it's not always because
of sleep apnea, so we aim to help people
with a variety of sleep disorders so they
can have a better quality of life.

Q

How is sleep apnea treated?
Most people think about the
CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure) device. This air pump
opens the airway, allowing someone to
breathe comfortably through the night,
to get a deep sleep and to maintain normal oxygen levels. Some people prefer
to try alternatives such as sleeping on
their side or wearing a specially crafted
dental device that gently pulls the lower
jaw forward. Exercise and weight loss
can also help with sleep apnea. ■

MAIN PHOTO BY GETTY IMAGES

When does snoring go from
a nuisance to a health risk?
Snoring is caused by narrowing
of the upper airway during sleep. If that
airway closes off completely, we can
stop breathing, which is what characterizes a condition called obstructive sleep
apnea. These episodes of breathing difficulty interrupt sleep sometimes dozens
of times per hour. Left untreated, sleep
apnea impacts daily functioning and
may put you at increased risk for high
blood pressure, atrial fibrillation, memory impairment and other conditions.
A majority of people with sleep apnea
snore, but not all snorers have sleep
apnea. Other factors that put you at risk
include weight gain, an increased neck
size, and being older than 50.

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WEBSITE
http://www.uvahealth.com/goodsleep
Vim & Vigor - Winter 2019 - UVA

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