Sleep Apnea & Snoring
Snoring and sleep apnea are conditions to take very seriously because they can lead to other major health consequences. We provide effective treatment for many cases of sleep apnea and severe snoring to help you improve your health.
Sleep Apnea
Sleep apnea is defined as a condition that causes you to experience frequent and recurring shortness of breath while sleeping. It can be caused by the individual’s throat becoming overly relaxed while sleeping which blocks the airways and prevents normal breathing. This is referred to as obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).
This type of sleep apnea occurs when the back of the throat muscles relax. These muscles support the soft palate, the triangular portion of tissue called the uvula that hangs from the soft palate, the tonsils, the side walls of the throat, and the tongue.
When muscles relax, the airway narrows or closes during inhalation. You cannot get enough air, which can drop your blood oxygen level. Your brain detects that you are unable to breathe and briefly awakens you in order to reopen your airway. This awakening is typically so brief that it is forgotten.
Signs of sleep apnea include poor sleeping habits, frequent sore throats, recurring headaches, and a general inability to get a restful night’s sleep.
Using a CO2 laser for sleep apnea and snoring treatment involves precise, minimally invasive procedures that target excess tissue in the throat and palate. By gently reshaping or removing obstructions, this advanced laser technology can effectively alleviate airway blockages, leading to improved airflow and reduced sleep disturbances, offering hope to those seeking a quieter, more restful night’s sleep.
Snoring
Snoring is the raspy or loud sound produced when air rushes through relaxed throat tissues, causing them to vibrate while you breathe. Almost everyone snores occasionally, but for some, it can be a persistent issue. Occasionally, it may also signal a significant health condition.
Snoring is frequently related to obstructive sleep apnoea, a sleep disease (OSA). If snoring is accompanied by any of the following symptoms, it may be necessary to contact our office for further examination:
- Observed sleep breathing pauses
- Excessive daytime sleepiness
- Having trouble concentrating
- Morning headaches
- Sore throat
- Restless sleep
- Night-time gasping or choking
- Elevated blood pressure
- Chest discomfort at night
-
What is sleep apnea?
Sleep apnea is a sleep disorder where breathing repeatedly starts and stops. The lapses in breathing result in lower quality sleep and affects the body’s oxygen supply, which can result in serious health consequences. There are three main types of sleep apnea:
1. Obstructive sleep apnea. This is the most common form of sleep apnea and is caused by a person’s throat becoming overly relaxed while sleeping, blocking the airways and preventing normal breathing.
2. Central sleep apnea. This occurs when your brain fails to submit signals to your breathing muscles, resulting in not breathing for a short period of time. This is a rare form of sleep apnea.
3. Complex sleep apnea syndrome. Also known as treatment-emergent central sleep apnea occurs when someone has both obstructive sleep apnea and central sleep apnea.
This condition is normally associated with loud, intense snoring, but just because a person snores doesn’t mean they have sleep apnea. It can be caused by being overweight, excessive alcohol consumption or drug use can cause the airways to become more relaxed and cause blockages, and it can also be caused by genetics. People with a family history of sleep apnea are more likely to suffer from the condition. It can affect children and adults and people of both sexes, although it is more common in men.
-
How is sleep apnea diagnosed?
Sleep apnea is typically diagnosed using a polysomnogram, also known as a sleep study. This can be done at home with the use of our watchpat. The test records activities that occur while you sleep, including: brain activity, breathing, and oxygen levels. It also measures how long you spend in each sleep stage, how frequently you wake up, if you stop breathing, if you snore, and body position.
After the sleep study, we go over the data from your test. We'll analyze your brain activity and body system functioning to diagnose if a sleep disorder is present and recommend treatment.
-
What are common sleep apnea symptoms?
The most common symptoms of sleep apnea are listed below. Just because you have one, or a few of these, doesn’t mean you have sleep apnea. Check with your doctor to be certain.
- Very loud snoring
- Sleepiness and loss of energy when awake
- Painful headaches
- Restless sleep
- Insomnia and recurrent awakenings
- Waking up with a dry or sore throat
- Waking up in the night with gasping or choking sensations
- Sudden mood changes
- Poor concentration
- Going to the bathroom frequently at night
More Questions?
If you have more questions about sleep apnea or snoring, please contact our office and we will be happy to discuss further.
