Sleep Apnea

What is sleep apnea?

Sleep apnea is a sleep disorder in which you experience many breathing interruptions as you sleep. These episodes may happen as many as 400 times in a single night.

The two primary forms of sleep apnea are:

Obstructive sleep apnea

More than 90% of people with sleep apnea have obstructive sleep apnea. In obstructive sleep apnea, a blockage in your airway disrupts your breathing. This happens because your throat’s soft tissues — muscles, tongue, tonsils, uvula, and excess fatty tissue — relax, blocking your airway.

Central sleep apnea

Central sleep apnea is a rare form of the condition. It’s caused by a breakdown in the communication between your brain and throat muscles. Essentially, the muscles that help you breathe don’t activate because the brain never issues the signal or something interrupts the signaling process.

Many people who have sleep apnea don’t know it, so it’s essential to be aware of its symptoms.

What are the symptoms of sleep apnea?

Snoring is the most obvious symptom of sleep apnea. You might not know that you snore, but others in your home will probably tell you about it. Sometimes, you snore particularly loudly or forcefully and startle yourself awake.

Other symptoms of sleep apnea include:

• Dry mouth when you wake up
• Sore throat when you wake up
• Daytime sleepiness
• Poor quality sleep
• Feeling tired when you wake up
• Difficulty concentrating
• Morning headaches
• Mood changes
• Decreased libido

If you have any of these symptoms and it’s starting to disrupt your life, schedule a sleep apnea assessment at ENT & Allergy Specialists of VA, PC right away.

What does a sleep apnea diagnosis involve?

Diagnosing sleep apnea includes:

• Complete medical history review
• In-depth symptom evaluation
• Throat and nose exam

In some cases, the team will recommend either a home sleep study or a study at a sleep center to make a definitive diagnosis.

How is sleep apnea treated?

Sleep apnea treatments can include oral appliances that slightly reposition your jaw to help to keep your airways clear. You could also use a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machine, which adds air pressure to the air you inhale to keep your airways open.

For sleep apnea caused by anatomical obstructions, like a large uvula, you might need surgery to remove the excess tissue. If you have nasal blockages that limit your air, like a deviated septum or other sinus problems, endoscopic sinus surgery can help.

To again breathe freely at night, schedule an appointment with ENT & Allergy Specialists of VA, PC. Call the office or go online to schedule.