Sleep Apnea Specialist

What is sleep apnea?

Sleep apnea is a disorder affecting your breathing when you're asleep. When you have sleep apnea, you stop breathing for short periods multiple times throughout the night. That can increase your risk of developing high blood pressure, diabetes, heart problems, or having a stroke.

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is the most common form of sleep apnea. It occurs when the tissues at the top of your throat close up while you're asleep. They do this because they relax too much and can't support the soft palate at the back of your mouth. Your soft palate closes over your windpipe, which prevents you from breathing.

Your brain registers the problem and wakes you to get you breathing again. You're unlikely to remember waking as it's so brief. 

Another form of sleep apnea is central sleep apnea, which is a neurological condition. Central sleep apnea occurs because your brain isn't transmitting the correct instructions to your breathing muscles. 

Complex sleep apnea syndrome is where you suffer from both obstructive sleep apnea and central sleep apnea at the same time.

What are the symptoms of sleep apnea?

Sleep apnea deprives you of good quality sleep because you're continually waking. That affects you during the day, making you feel tired and irritable. You might find you're overcome with sleepiness at times as well, and you may wake up snorting or choking.

Headaches, a dry mouth, sore throat, and snoring can also develop when you have sleep apnea. However, you might not realize that these symptoms relate to sleep apnea because you're unconscious when you stop breathing. Very often, it's a friend or family member who sees you when you're sleeping and realizes there's a problem.

The Desert Cities Allergy & Otolaryngology team can diagnose your sleep apnea using a sleep monitor. You wear the device on your wrist, and it records how much oxygen is present in your blood during the night. If this method doesn’t provide sufficient information, you might need to undergo a residential sleep study, where you stay in a special unit overnight.

What treatments are available for sleep apnea?

You might be able to resolve your obstructive sleep apnea by losing weight. Being overweight or obese is a leading cause of sleep apnea, so weight loss can significantly improve your symptoms.

If you need additional help with sleep apnea, the Desert Cities Allergy & Otolaryngology team uses CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure) devices to treat obstructive sleep apnea. You wear the CPAP mask over your face when you sleep, and it delivers air under pressure into your throat to keep the airway open.

Sleep apnea can have a serious effect on your mental and physical health, and there is a slight chance that your breathing could stop permanently. To benefit from Desert Cities Allergy & Otolaryngology's experience in treating sleep apnea, call the nearest office or book an appointment online.