Kern Legacy Health Plan | A Legacy of Good Health | Fall 2021

What is a pulmonologist? Sometimes snoring is more than just snoring. Sometimes it’s a sign of sleep apnea, a potentially dangerous condition that, among other things, can be hard on your heart. The most common type of sleep apnea is called obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). It causes someone to stop breathing as much as 30 times or more per hour during sleep. These pauses momentarily wake a person up, although they may not remember being awake. Breathing pauses also cause oxygen levels to go up and down, which puts a big strain on the heart. OSA also can increase the risk of heart fail- ure, high blood pressure, atrial fibrillation (an irregular heartbeat), type 2 diabetes and stroke. What causes OSA? OSA is caused by the collapse of the airway in the back of the nose, mouth and throat during sleep. The vibration of the relaxed airway triggers the snoring. When the airway closes completely, it cuts off oxygen to the lungs. That’s what wakes someone up, gasping for air: Oxygen can’t get to the lungs and brain, and the body becomes oxygen-deprived. Could I have OSA? Loud snoring is the most obvious hallmark of OSA. But if you live alone, you may not have had anyone tell you that you snore. Other signs and symptoms you might have OSA include: ● You stop breathing while you’re sleeping. ● You wake up from sleep gasping or choking. ● You wake up frequently. ● You have headaches in the morning. ● You feel sleepy or tired during the day or have problems concentrating. How is OSA treated? Your first step is to talk with your doctor if you suspect you may have OSA. The condition can be diagnosed by a sleep study or with an at-home sleep apnea test. OSA can be treated with a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) device, which involves wearing a mask while sleeping that keeps air pressure flowing in your airways so they don’t close down. It’s important to not shrug off OSA as just a snoring problem. Treatment is vital to your heart—and your overall good health. Sources: American Academy of SleepMedicine; American Heart Association Your child often wheezes and seems short of breath. Your partner snores loudly and frequently gasps for air during sleep. After you’ve smoked for years, your doctor says she suspects you have COPD. What do each of these situations have in common? They’re all scenarios that could send a person to a pulmonologist. Breathing specialists A pulmonologist is a doctor who specializes in diseases of the lungs and respiratory system. Every cell in your body needs oxygen to function. Your respiratory system, together with your circulatory system, delivers that oxygen from your lungs. It also moves carbon dioxide—a waste product created during respiration—from your cells back to your lungs, where it’s exhaled during normal breathing. Diagnosis and treatment of conditions that affect breathing and the lungs may involve evaluation of various parts of the respiratory tract, including the sinuses, nose, pharynx (throat) and trachea (windpipe). Sometimes, it also involves evaluating other parts of the body, such as the heart. Specific symptoms and illnesses a pulmonologist may address include: ● Asthma. ● Breathing difficulty. ● Chronic cough. ● Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). ● Cystic fibrosis. ● Lung cancer. ● Pneumonia. ● Pulmonary hypertension. ● Sleep apnea. ● Tuberculosis. Pulmonologists may also manage ven- tilators for patients who require breathing assistance. Sources: American Board of Medical Specialties; American College of Physicians; American Lung Association NEED A PULMONOLOGIST? For a list of network-contracted providers, call 661-868-3182 or visit www.kerncountyhealthbenefits.com . Don’t ignore that snore It may be hurting your heart