Sleep Apnea Specialist

What is sleep apnea?

Sleep apnea is a disorder that causes you to stop breathing while you sleep. There are three types of sleep apnea that can affect your quality of sleep and your overall health:

Obstructive sleep apnea

Obstructive sleep apnea is a condition that results when your throat muscles relax too much during sleep or excess tissue in your throat creates a blockage in your airways.

Central sleep apnea

Central sleep apnea occurs due to dysfunction in your brain. This dysfunction affects the signals that travel from your brain to the muscles that control your breathing.

Complex sleep apnea

Complex sleep apnea results from a combination of obstructive and central sleep apnea.

What are the symptoms of sleep apnea?

Many people aren’t aware they have sleep apnea. It’s only when their loved ones complain of excessive or loud snoring do they realize they may have the condition.

In addition to snoring, sleep apnea can cause:

• Dry mouth
• Morning headache
• Daytime drowsiness
• Difficulties concentrating

You may also experience restless sleep and wake up frequently gasping for breath.

If your sleep apnea remains untreated, it can lead to more serious health complications, including high blood pressure, heart disease, and Type 2 diabetes.

How is sleep apnea treated?

Your Atlanta ENT, Sinus & Allergy Associates, P.C. provider may recommend a sleep study to uncover the root cause of your sleep apnea. During this study, the team monitors your oxygen levels, heart rate, and general habits while you sleep. 

Based on the results of your study, your physician customizes a treatment plan that may involve one or more therapies, including:

Medications

Medications are available for allergies, asthma, and nasal congestion that can open your airways and make it easier to breathe while you sleep.

Oral appliance

An oral appliance is an insert you put into your mouth before sleep. The appliance keeps your jaw in a forward position to prevent blockages in your airways.

Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machine

A CPAP machine is a device that delivers oxygen through a mask that you wear while sleeping to help you breathe better throughout the night.

Surgery

If noninvasive treatments aren’t enough to treat your sleep apnea, you may benefit from minimally invasive surgery to remove excess tissue from your nose and throat.

Surgical techniques are also available to remove nasal polyps or repair a deviated septum to make it easier for you to breathe during sleep.

If you often feel drowsy during the day or need help with chronic snoring, schedule a sleep apnea evaluation by calling the Atlanta ENT, Sinus & Allergy Associates, P.C. office nearest you, or request an appointment online today.