Sleep Apnea
Snoring may start as a nuisance, but it can quickly turn into a huge problem. If you are constantly waking up tired, with headaches, or being woken up by loved ones because you are snoring too loudly it may be time to visit Dallas ENT to find out if you are suffering from sleep apnea.
What is OSA?
Obstructive Sleep Apnea happens when someone stops breathing throughout the night, reducing blood oxygen levels, causing the heart to pump harder. OSA is one of the many causes of snoring. This can result in health risks and complications.
Symptoms of Sleep Apnea
The symptoms of sleep apnea differ from person to person but common symptoms you may be suffering from include:
- Loud snoring
- Waking up due to interrupted breathing or gasping
- Chronic daytime fatigue
- Waking up with headaches
- Frequent nighttime trips to the bathroom
- Insomnia
- A loss of sex drive
- Irritability
- The inability to concentrate
If you are experiencing any combination of these symptoms, it may be time to see a professional. When left untreated, sleep apnea can lead to major health complications.
What health complications come with Obstructive Sleep Apnea?
Obstructive sleep apnea can impact your body in several ways. It can be directly responsible for or partially to blame for several conditions including:
- Fatigue - Fatigue from sleep apnea can lead to an increased risk for accidents and a poor ability to concentrate during the day.
- Cardiovascular and Heart Problems - Sleep apnea can lead to a greater risk of heart attack, stroke, high blood pressure, irregular heartbeat, and more.
- Cancer - Sleep apnea does not directly cause cancer, but evidence has shown a strong correlation between the two.
- Eye Disorders - Eye disorders such as glaucoma, can be more likely in people with sleep apnea because of the lack of regular oxygen flow while sleeping.
- Diabetes - Sleep apnea often coexists with diabetes and it can make it harder to manage symptoms.
What can I do about my sleep apnea?
Many sufferers try over-the-counter anti-snore devices. The truth is, these devices might offer snoring remedies that work, but they are just stopping you from sleeping properly by producing unpleasantness when you do snore. Snoring treatments must be individualized depending on the diagnosed cause of your snoring, but some treatment options at Dallas ENT include:
- Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UPPP) is surgery for treating OSA. It tightens flabby tissues in the throat and palate and expands air passages.
- Thermal Ablation Palatoplasty (TAP) refers to procedures and techniques that treat snoring and some of them also are used to treat various severities of obstructive sleep apnea.
- Genioglossus and hyoid advancement is a surgical procedure for the treatment of sleep apnea. It stops the collapse of the lower throat and pulls the tongue muscles forward, thereby opening the obstructed airway.
- Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) is a device that delivers air into your airway through a nasal mask or pillows. The air pressure generated by the mask helps to keep your airway open throughout the night.
- Inspire is an FDA-approved obstructive sleep apnea treatment that works to treat the source of your sleep apnea. A small device works to stimulate the airway muscles to keep your airway open during sleep.
Are you an SOS (Spouse of Snorer)?
If you or your loved one is a chronic snorer then you know that snoring isn’t just affecting them. Oftentimes, the spouse must live with the side effects just as much as the snorer. They have to beg their partner to get snoring treatment and most who do are sent by their spouses. Before you move to the spare bedroom, put the pillow over them, kick them out of bed, or use white noise machines for sleeping - send them to Dallas ENT so they can get the sleep apnea treatment they deserve. Plus, the added benefit of you getting a little extra shuteye also won’t hurt.
