Sleep Apnea Specialist

What is sleep apnea?

About 18 million Americans experience sleep apnea, which is a sleep disorder that affects the quality of your sleep. It may cause your breathing to stop and start periodically throughout the night or obstruct your airway because of relaxed throat muscles. Treatment with the Lake Grove ENT team can help you breathe easier and sleep soundly.

What are the symptoms of sleep apnea?

Common symptoms associated with sleep apnea include:

• Gasping for air during sleep
• Loud snoring
• Morning headaches
• Dry mouth
• Episodes of stopped breathing
• Problems staying asleep
• Excessive daytime sleepiness
• Irritability 
• Problems paying attention

Sleep deprivation linked with sleep apnea can increase your risk of accidents, obesity, and chronic diseases. At the first sign of sleep apnea, see your Lake Grove ENT specialist for an evaluation and proper treatment.

What are the risk factors for sleep apnea?

While anybody can develop sleep apnea, common risk factors include:

• A narrow airway
• Overweight or obesity
• Older age
• Family history of sleep apnea
• Genetics 
• Chronic diseases
• Nasal congestion
• Smoking
• Alcohol use

Using sedatives or tranquilizers can cause muscles in your throat to relax, which may worsen sleep apnea symptoms. 

How does my doctor diagnose sleep apnea?

To find out if you have sleep apnea, your Lake Grove ENT specialist reviews your symptoms and medical history. They examine your airway and nasal passages and might recommend you undergo a CT scan, MRI, or sleep study.

What are my sleep apnea treatment options?

Some of the many sleep apnea treatments available at Lake Grove ENT include:

Lifestyle changes

Lifestyle changes that can reduce sleep apnea include wearing nasal breathing strips while you sleep, losing weight, not smoking, sleeping on your side, elevating your head, and cutting back on alcohol before bedtime.

Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP)

CPAP is often an effective treatment for moderate to severe sleep apnea. It’s a machine that delivers air pressure through a mask you wear when you sleep. CPAP helps keep air passages open.

Oral appliances

Wearing an oral appliance while sleeping can reduce unpleasant symptoms associated with sleep apnea. You wear it in your mouth to reposition your jaw, keeping your throat and airway open.

Surgical procedures

Your ENT doctor can remove tissue in the back of your throat, along with your tonsils and adenoids when needed, to reduce snoring and help you breathe easier.

Radiofrequency ablation

Radiofrequency ablation is another method for removing or shrinking tissue in the back of your throat to reduce symptoms of mild to moderate sleep apnea.

Don’t live with unpleasant sleep apnea symptoms when simple treatments available at Lake Grove ENT can offer relief. Call the office and speak with a friendly staff member to schedule an appointment or book online today.