Sleep Apnea

Do you or your child snore? Are you still tired after a good night's rest? Do you often wake gasping for air or coughing? If so, you may have sleep apnea.

Sleep apnea, also known as Obstructive Sleep Apnea (or OSA), is a potentially life-threatening condition that repeatedly causes breathing to stop and start throughout your sleep cycle.

Sleep apnea affects over 30 million Americans, and millions more are predisposed to developing sleep apnea due to risk factors. Northwest ENT and Allergy Center can help.

Sleep Apnea Explained

During normal sleep, your throat muscles relax. If your throat is crowded due to obesity or other physical attributes, your airway can collapse during sleep and block your airflow. When airflow stops, your blood oxygen levels drop, which causes your brain to wake up.
When you have sleep apnea, this cycle may repeat several times during the night while you have no idea it is happening!

Symptoms and Warning Signs

Common sleep apnea warning signs:

Loud snoring
Restless sleep
Dry or sore throat in the morning
Waking up to choking or gasping
Fatigue, tiredness or moodiness during the day
Difficulty concentrating at work or school
Hyperactivity or bedwetting in children

Risk Factors

Some people are more prone to sleep apnea due to physiological or medical issues. These include:

Obesity
A small jaw, with a thick neck
Long soft palate and uvula
Enlarged tonsils or adenoids
High blood pressure

Complications

Left undiagnosed, severe sleep apnea can increase your risk of the following medical conditions:

Irregular heartbeat
High blood pressure
Diabetes
Heart attack, stroke or cardiac arrest during sleep
Slow growth and/or learning deficits in children

Diagnosis

For pediatric patients, the diagnosis of sleep-disordered breathing is made by taking a thorough medical history and physical examination.
For most adults and some pediatric cases, a sleep study can provide accurate measurements and provide the degree of apnea.

A polysomnography sleep study measures your heart rate, brain waves, chest movement, airflow, and oxygen levels while you sleep, as well as eye and leg movements.

Non-surgical Treatment Options for Sleep Apnea

Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP)
Lifestyle Changes
Tongue Base Reduction
Oral Appliance

Surgical Treatment Options for Sleep Apnea

In cases when non-invasive treatments fail, a surgical solution might be necessary.

Nasal Surgery (alleviate blockage)
Tonsillectomy and Adenoidectomy
Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UPPP)
Hyoid Bone Suspension
Tracheostomy, in extreme cases