Sleep Apnea

Sleep apnea, in particular, is a serious condition characterized by repeated pauses in breathing during sleep due to partial or complete airway blockages. These pauses, known as apneas, disrupt the sleep cycle by prompting brief awakenings to restore normal breathing, ultimately affecting sleep quality and overall health.

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Symptoms Can Include:

● Loud snoring
● Episodes of breathing cessation observed by a partner
● Gasping or choking during sleep
● Excessive daytime sleepiness
● Morning headaches
● Difficulty concentrating
● Irritability or mood changes

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Diagnosis

Sleep apnea is typically diagnosed through a sleep study, either in a specialized sleep lab (polysomnography) or with a home sleep apnea test (HSAT) that we offer in our office. These tests monitor various physiological parameters, including breathing patterns, oxygen levels, and brain activity during sleep.

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Why It's Important

Untreated sleep apnea can lead to serious health complications, including high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, diabetes, and accidents due to daytime fatigue. Addressing sleep apnea improves not only sleep quality but also overall health and quality of life.

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Treatment

• Lifestyle Changes: Weight loss, quitting smoking, and reducing alcohol intake.

• Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP): A device that delivers a steady stream of air to keep the airway open

• Oral Appliances: Mandibular Advancement Device (MAD) which are custom-fitted devices that reposition the jaw or tongue to maintain an open airway.

• Surgery: In severe cases, surgical interventions may be needed to remove obstructions or reshape the airway.

• Positional Therapy: Encouraging sleeping in specific positions to reduce airway blockages.

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If you are experiencing any of the symptoms mentioned above, we encourage you to contact our office to schedule a comprehensive sleep evaluation with one of our certified Sleep Medicine Providers.