ESCANABA – Dr. Ragu Kasetty with the OSF Sleep Center in Escanaba says problems sleeping can cause various health problems. He says sleep apnea can occur in up to 30 percent of males and 15 percent of females.

“It can be associated with high blood pressure, heart rythem problems, a decrease in oxygen to the rest of the body can cause memory loss and other medical issues. So it’s important to treat sleep apnea,” he said.

Kasetty says sleep apnea can also be a problem for children. He says there are three levels of sleep apnea that can be determined by spending the night at the sleep center.

“They hook up multiple leeds in the head, they have a belt around the chest and around the stomach and they have an oxygen sensor. You sleep as usual. They will be checking the oxygen, heart rate, brain waves to see how they are doing,” said Kasetty.

Kasetty says treated patients are more rested, more energetic, and are able to think better.