Insomnia • Snoring • Obstructive Sleep Apnea

Insomnia
Insomnia has a large variety of causes; we establish what is the cause or causes of your insomnia, leading to the most appropriate treatment recommendations.

• The most common sleep disorder, insomnia affects 30 - 50% of Americans at some point in their lives. As many as 10% of Americans will have a serious bout of insomnia this year. 

• Like pain, insomnia is a symptom – the underlying cause is not always obvious and can often be difficult to discern.


Snoring
Snoring decreases the sleep quality of hundreds of millions of Americans and their bed partners. Most cases of snoring are easily treated; there are a variety of treatment approaches. We will work with you to find the best and most effective therapy.

• Snoring results from vibration of tissues in the nose, mouth or throat as air passes through during the act of breathing. 

• Snoring has been associated with an increased risk for stroke. 


Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA)
OSA results from narrowing of the tissues of the upper airway, causing air to be partially or completely blocked from flowing through the throat to the lungs and back out. There are many effective treatments for OSA. We will work closely with you to find a successful individualized treatment approach.

• This blockage has serious consequences, including decreased oxygen levels, increased CO2 and other waste gas levels, swelling of the extremities, increased blood pressure, stress on the heart, to name a few. Many OSA sufferers are tired and sleepy during the day.

Are you at risk for sleep apnea? Take the Sleep Apnea quiz.

Obstructive Sleep Apnea is Common — and Dangerous

What is CPAP?

Narcolepsy   •  Restless Leg Syndrome  •  Parasomnias  •  Other Sleep Disorders

OSA is surprisingly common, affecting up to 20% of adults in the United States. Most affected individuals are unaware they have the disorder. Nearly 10% of adults have severe OSA. OSA is also present in children, affecting as many as 1% to 5% of American children. OSA is a killer; severe obstructive sleep apnea raises the risk of death by 3-fold or more.

CPAP stands for "Continuous Positive Airway Pressure." CPAP is a treatment that delivers slightly pressurized air during the breathing cycle. This makes breathing easier for persons with obstructive sleep apnea and other respiratory problems. 

Dr. Carter will work with you to determine if CPAP is the proper treatment for you, and if so, to find a CPAP pump that is appropriate for your sleeping habits.