Sleep Apnea

Sleep apnea is a disorder that interrupts breathing during sleep, causing it to stop and start repeatedly dozens of times per hour. This condition is often associated with loud snoring and can lead to significant health problems, like high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, and type 2 diabetes if left untreated.

Identifying the signs of sleep apnea is the first step toward getting the appropriate treatment for your condition.

Symptoms of Sleep Apnea:

• Snoring
• Gasping for air
• Insomnia
• Daytime sleepiness
• Morning headaches
• Dry mouth when waking

These symptoms can vary in severity, but if you notice any of them, especially in combination, it’s important to consult our team of sleep doctors and specialists in Philadelphia.

Yes, sleep apnea comes in several forms, each with different causes and treatment approaches.

Types of Sleep Apnea:

• Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA)
  • The most common type of sleep apnea, OSA occurs when the muscles in the back of the throat relax too much, blocking airflow.
  • Risk factors include obesity, thicker neck circumference, narrow throat, being male, older age, alcohol and sedative use, and certain medications.

• Central Sleep Apnea (CSA)
  • CSA happens when the brain fails to send the correct signals to the muscles that control breathing.
  • Risk factors include heart disorders, stroke, being male, older age, and the use of narcotic pain medications.

• Complex Sleep Apnea Syndrome
  • This condition is a combination of both obstructive and central sleep disorders.

Understanding which type of sleep apnea you have is crucial for effective treatment from our sleep doctors in Philadelphia.

Diagnosing sleep apnea typically involves discussing your symptoms and history with a Philadelphia specialist, followed by a sleep study. This study can be conducted at home or in a medical facility and measures key indicators while you sleep, such as heart rate, blood oxygen levels, and breathing patterns. Using your medical history and the results of your sleep study, our sleep doctors and specialists can accurately diagnose your sleep apnea and recommend the most effective treatment.

By far the most common treatment from a specialist for sleep apnea is the use of a Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) machine. These devices recommended by a sleep doctor deliver a steady stream of air through a mask worn during sleep, keeping the airway open and preventing interruptions in breathing.

Another possible treatment option is an oral appliance like a mouthguard, which adjusts the position of the jaw and holds the tongue in place to keep airways open.