There is nothing good about sleep apnea. It is one of the more serious medical problems we treat at The Snoring Center. There are a variety of sleep apnea treatments. Some are involved and painful. Some are minimally invasive. Some simply involve lifestyle changes. Some are consistently effective. Some are mere myths.
To effectively deal with sleep apnea, it is important to know what it is, what causes it and what the options to treat it are.
Sleep apnea is a potentially serious sleep disorder in which breathing repeatedly stops and starts. Sleep apnea sufferers typically snore loudly and feel tired even after a full night’s sleep. It typically occurs when the throat muscles relax during sleep and block the airway passage. These muscles support the soft palate, the triangular piece of tissue hanging from the soft palate (uvula), the tonsils, the side walls of the throat and the tongue.
When the muscles relax, the air passage closes when breathing in making it difficult (or impossible to get a full breath). This can lower oxygen levels in the blood. The brain senses the inability to breathe and wakes the patient to reopen the airway. These awakening episodes are usually so brief, the snorer does not remember them.
Sleep apnea sufferers may make a snorting, choking or gasping sound. This can happen up to 30 times in an hour, for the duration of the night. Not surprisingly, those who suffer from sleep apnea rarely get a refreshing night’s sleep. In many cases, they will suffer from fatigue during the waking hours.
Sleep apnea should not be taken lightly. Sleep apnea sufferers may also suffer from:
- High blood pressure or heart problems.
- Tiredness throughout the day.
- Complications with medications and surgery.
- Liver problems
- Sleep-deprived partners.
- Obstructive sleep apnea is also a concern with certain medications and general anesthesia.
The preferred treatment for sleep apnea is CPAP or Continuous Positive Airway Pressure. However, many sleep apnea sufferers find the CPAP machine and mask to be a hindrance while sleeping. At The Snoring Center, in addition to CPAP, we offer several effective, minimally invasive alternatives to CPAP. These treatment options include:
- Pillar Procedure
- Turbinate Coblation
- Palate Coblation
- Laser Tonsillectomy
- Home Sleep Study
- Oral Appliances
- Surgery
The Snoring Center has successfully treated thousands of patients suffering from sleep apnea. It is easy to schedule an appointment and we can often diagnose, consult and treat sleep apnea problems on the same day. There is no need to endure even one more night without refreshing, healthy sleep. Schedule an appointment with our trained physicians today.
