Question 1

What is sleep apnea?

Accepted Answer

Sleep apnea is a sleep disorder where your breath is interrupted while you sleep.

Depending on the severity of your condition, your breath can be interrupted several times a night for an average of 20-30 seconds each time. If you suffer from sleep apnea, you might not even realize that you’re not breathing correctly at night.

Common symptoms of sleep apnea include:

Snoring
Choking or gasping
Daytime fatigue
Concentration and memory issues
Irritability

Sleep apnea disrupts your sleep, can cause problems in your day-to-day functioning, and is associated with a range of dangerous health issues, such as:

Diabetes
Depression
High blood pressure
Heart disease
Stroke

It’s important to schedule an appointment at Lakeshore ENT with a sleep apnea doctor if you suspect you have this disorder to prevent these serious issues from developing.

Question 2

How are snoring and sleep apnea treated?

Accepted Answer

First, it’s important to note that not everyone who snores has sleep apnea. Your physician at Lakeshore ENT conducts a thorough exam during your consultation to determine the cause of your snoring. After identifying the underlying cause of your symptoms, they provide a customized treatment plan.

One of the first suggestions to reduce snoring and sleep apnea is often to lose weight. With about 70% of adults classified as overweight or obese, nearly everyone could improve their health and decrease their snoring by losing a few pounds.

You may benefit from using a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machine or mouthguard while you sleep.

If your snoring isn’t related to sleep apnea, your doctor may suggest a procedure to stiffen your soft palate and reduce nocturnal vibrations. These procedures include injection snoreplasty, pillar implants, and laser-assisted uvulopalatoplasty.

If you’re concerned about your snoring or sleep apnea, call Lakeshore Ear, Nose & Throat Center or schedule an appointment online today.

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