Sleep Apnea

What is sleep apnea?

Sleep apnea is a common condition that causes you to stop breathing during periods of time when you’re sleeping because of an airway blockage (obstructive sleep apnea) or when your brain doesn’t effectively control your breathing (central sleep apnea). 

The lack of oxygen that results causes a survival reflex to wake you up long enough to resume breathing, which is disruptive to your sleep cycle and overall sleep quality. Sleep apnea also places extra stress on your heart and is sometimes life-threatening when left untreated.

What are the symptoms of sleep apnea?

Sleep apnea symptoms can include:

• Waking up often throughout the night
• Difficulty staying asleep
• Loud snoring
• Rapid breathing
• Periods of stopped breathing
• Other unusual breathing patterns
• Feeling like you’re choking
• Gasping for air
• Dry mouth in the morning
• Waking up feeling short of breath
• Feeling tired when you wake up
• Morning headaches
• Daytime fatigue
• Depression, anxiety, irritability, or mood changes
• Difficulty concentrating
• Night sweats 
• Sexual dysfunction
• Restlessness at night

Your symptoms may be mild or severe and they could disrupt your partner’s sleep quality in addition to your own. 

What are the risk factors for sleep apnea?

Sleep apnea risk factors include the following:

• Heart conditions
• Family history of sleep apnea
• Stroke
• High blood pressure
• Obesity
• Large tonsils
• Aging
• Smoking
• Alcohol use
• Using drugs, such as opioids or sedatives
• Having a thick neck
• Narrowed airway
• Nasal congestion 
• Being male
• Medical conditions

Men are 2-3 times more likely to have sleep apnea than women. Medical conditions that boost the risk of sleep apnea include high blood pressure, Type 2 diabetes, congestive heart failure, hormone disorders, asthma and other lung diseases, and polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) in women.

About one billion people worldwide aged 30-69 may have obstructive sleep apnea, which is more common than central sleep apnea. Anyone can develop sleep apnea, as it affects children, teenagers, and adults. 

When left untreated, sleep apnea increases the risk of medical complications, such as high blood pressure, liver problems, heart damage, and sudden cardiac death.

How is sleep apnea diagnosed and treated?

Accurate diagnosis is the first step toward effectively managing sleep apnea. At our practice, we utilize the WatchPAT® One, a state-of-the-art, FDA-cleared, disposable home sleep testing device that allows patients to comfortably monitor their sleep from the comfort of their own bed. This simple, wearable device collects vital data on breathing patterns, oxygen levels, heart rate, and sleep stages—giving our team a clear, reliable picture of your sleep health without the need for an overnight stay in a sleep lab.

Once a diagnosis is confirmed, your treatment plan will be tailored to the type and severity of your sleep apnea, as well as your individual lifestyle and medical needs. At Southwest Pulmonary Associates, we offer a full range of treatment options, including:

• Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) or other airway pressure devices
• Oral appliance therapy
• Managing underlying medical condition
• Medications
• Altering sleeping positions
• Upper airway stimulation device/Inspire®
• Surgical procedures
• Smoking cessation
• Zepbound®
• Inspire®

Zepbound is an injectable medication that may help adults with moderate-to-severe obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and obesity to improve their OSA. Zepbound should only be used with a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity.

Inspire is a mask-free, implantable device that gently stimulates your airway muscles during sleep to keep your breathing steady. Activated with a small remote, Inspire therapy offers a convenient alternative for those who struggle with CPAP, and includes an app to track your sleep and share progress with your care team.

No two cases of sleep apnea are exactly alike. That’s why we take a personalized, evidence-based approach to ensure you get the right care to improve your sleep—and your quality of life.

To schedule a sleep apnea evaluation, call Southwest Pulmonary Associates, or request an appointment online today.