Obstruction sleep apnea is a very serious condition that takes place when an individual’s breathing repeatedly stops during the course of a night’s sleep. This happens when the soft tissue in the throat collapses. Loud snoring is a symptom, as well as morning headaches, excessive daytime sleepiness, difficulty actually staying asleep at night, or sore throat or dry mouth upon awakening.
It is very common amongst the partners of patients with sleep apnea to observe episodes of breathing cessation during sleep. Gone untreated, sleep apnea can lead to heart disease, stroke, high blood pressure, and other serious medical conditions.
Diagnosis of Sleep Apnea
For us to accurately diagnose obstructive sleep apnea, our team will evaluate your symptoms, perform a thorough examination, and possibly recommend a sleep study.
Treatment of Obstructive Sleep Apnea
Based on the results of your evaluation and testing, our sleep experts may recommend any of the following treatment options:
- Weight loss
- Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP)
- Oral appliances
- Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UPPP) with Tonsillectomy
- Nasal surgery
- Tongue Base Reduction
- Inspire Sleep Therapy
Again, it’s very common to have the occasional sleepless night, but if you are experiencing severe snoring or are overly tired during the day to the point where it’s affecting your quality of life, you may have sleep apnea. To discuss your treatment options with a member of our sleep disorders team, please call (860) 493-1950 or visit our patient portal to request an appointment.