Sleep Apnea Treatment in San Diego
What is sleep apnea?
Sleep apnea is a respiratory disorder in which breathing starts and stops during sleep.
Here are three types of sleep apnea. The most common is called obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). As the name implies, OSA occurs due to a physical obstruction in the throat that cuts off airflow. This happens because the muscles that support the throat, including your tongue and soft palate, relax during sleep. This narrows or closes the throat, momentarily cutting off breathing.
Central sleep apnea (CSA) is far less common than OSA. For those with CSA, sleep apnea is caused by the brain rather than the throat. Essentially breathing slows gradually until it stop momentarily. It’s common for those with CSA to experience multiple cycles of this a night.
Finally, complex sleep apnea is a combination of both OSA and CSA.
While anyone can suffer from sleep apnea, some are at increased risk. Factors that increase your risk include (but aren’t limited to) being male, being older, having a thick neck, and carrying excess weight.
Symptoms of sleep apnea
While the causes of the three types of sleep apnea differ, the symptoms are often the same. This can make it difficult to determine which type of sleep apnea you have. Common symptoms include:
- Snoring, particularly loud snoring
- Gasping for air during sleep
- Headaches and dry mouth upon waking
- Insomnia – difficulty staying asleep
- Hypersomnia – daytime sleepiness
- Difficulty paying attention while awake and irritability – both caused by lack of sleep
- Momentary periods where breathing stops during sleep – these may be reported by your
partner
Left untreated, sleep apnea can cause more serious long-term complications than daytime fatigue. This includes high blood pressure and other heart problems, increased risk of diabetes, and potential liver problems.
Treatments for sleep apnea
The most common and well known treatment for sleep apnea is a CPAP machine. CPAP stands for “continuous positive airway pressure.” The machines works by proving pressure in throat, which helps to prevent the person’s airway from collapsing during sleep.
While CPAP machines are an effective way to combat sleep apnea, there are many alternatives. These include changing sleep positions, avoiding alcohol, mandibular advancement devices, tongue retaining devices, orofacial therapy, and – in some cases – surgery. In some cases, we’ll recommend that a device,
such as a CPAP machine, be used in tandem with other treatments.
Schedule a consultation
Longtime sufferers of sleep apnea will know that some cases are more challenging to address than others. Our doctors have experience treating even the most difficult cases.
So whether this is your first time seeking treatment for your sleep apnea – or you think you’ve tried just about every specialist around – don’t worry. You and your loved ones deserve a great, comfortable night’s sleep. We can help.