111-29 Queens Blvd, Forest Hills, NY 11375
111-29 Queens Blvd, Forest Hills, NY 11375
Sleep apnea is a medical condition that stops you from breathing for short periods of time during sleep. Because you wake up in the middle of the night multiple times, even if you have no memory of it, sleep apnea decreases the quality of your sleep. As a result, the condition affects your concentration the following day. It causes other problems as well.
About 18 million Americans currently have this condition. Sleep apnea degrades the quality of your life, unleashing fatigue, irritability, anxiety and even depression on your mental stability. If left untreated, sleep apnea also leads to problems with your cardiac functions, blood pressure and metabolism, possibly affecting your longevity.
The most common type of sleep apnea is called obstructive sleep apnea. It’s caused when your throat muscles relax too much and close your windpipe temporarily. Since this kind of sleep apnea develops in the throat, your doctor is a first point of contact for detecting and dealing with sleep apnea.
Sleep hygiene is a term for using good etiquette and appropriate practices for healthy sleep — and it’s your first step to prevent sleep apnea. Sleep hygiene includes such habits as:
Your ENT doctor recommends other lifestyle changes after you’re diagnosed with sleep apnea. These changes keep your symptoms from worsening and they include:
Sleep apnea sometimes is difficult to diagnose because you may have it without knowing it, especially if you sleep alone. Some of the signs of sleep apnea that indicate you aren’t getting fully restorative sleep include:
Your doctor may arrange for a sleep study, during which you sleep in a laboratory so your patterns can be monitored. This is a crucial step, because it gives your doctor evidence of your diagnosis.
CPAP stands for continuous positive airway pressure. The machine is currently the industry standard for treating sleep apnea. It’s a device you wear when you go to sleep. It pushes a continuous airflow into your lungs, keeping your airways open to stabilize your breathing.
Your doctor may suggest that you try a mouthpiece instead. These teeth guards are custom-made by a dentist or orthodontist. The mouthpiece is designed to hold your jaw in a position that combats sleep apnea. Other mouthpieces are available that prevent your tongue from blocking your breathing. It all depends on what the primary cause of your sleep disorder is.
Orofacial therapy is another option that may work for you and your lifestyle. This is an intervention that trains you to position your mouth and nasal pathways for the best airflow. This may be an ideal choice if your main problem is due to your facial muscles or posture.
Lifestyle changes are the easier to make to prevent the disorder and give you a good night’s sleep. But when all non-invasive options fail and you continue to face sleepless nights and abnormal breathing, your ENT doctor may suggest a minimally-invasive surgical procedure.
Implants are used in therapies such as hypoglossal neuro-stimulation therapy. A small implant is placed in your mouth to send electrical signals that relax key parts of your tongue or airway. More invasive techniques that involve surgery targets the jaw. An oral surgeon performs facial reconstruction to reposition your mouth. Surgery may also be recommended to remove excess tissue from your airway.
Medex Diagnostic and Treatment Center