Biography

A certified doctor of sleep medicine, Dr. John Krehlik has over 30 years of experience. He currently practices in Anchorage, Alaska. One of Dr. John Krehlik’s main areas of focus is sleep apnea.

Sleep apnea affects the way that individuals breathe while sleeping. For those with sleep apnea, breathing is briefly inhibited or becomes very shallow. Pauses between breaths usually last between 10 and 20 seconds and can occur countless times during the night. This often disrupts the restorative sleep that is required to stay mentally sharp and energetic. In addition, the disorder can lead to a variety of serious health problems, including high blood pressure and heart attack.

Types of sleep apnea include:

-Obstructive sleep apnea: A type of sleep apnea that occurs when the soft tissue in the back of the throat blocks the airway. This causes the patient to snore loudly.
-Central sleep apnea: Occurs when the brain does not signal muscles that control breathing.
-Complex sleep apnea: Includes elements of both obstructive and central sleep apnea.