FAQs about Sleep Apnea

FAQs about Sleep Apnea

Wondering if your nightly snoring sessions could be due to a sleep disorder?

Obstructive sleep apnea is more common then you might think, and if you or a loved one snores most nights, this could be a warning sign of the condition. Here at Tan Head and Neck Center in Long Beach, CA, our otolaryngologists can diagnose and treat sleep apnea so that everyone in your family can enjoy a silent, uninterrupted night of sleep. Here’s what you should know about sleep apnea:

What is sleep apnea exactly?

Sleep apnea is a potentially dangerous sleep disorder that results in shallow breathing or pauses in breathing throughout the night. While there are many different forms of sleep apnea, the most common form is obstructive sleep apnea, in which the muscles in the back of the throat relax so much that they collapse and block the airways.

What are the symptoms and warning signs of sleep apnea?

The most obvious warning sign of sleep apnea is loud, chronic snoring. Even if snoring isn’t caused by sleep apnea, it can still be disruptive and costly to a person’s quality of sleep. Other signs of obstructive sleep apnea include:

  • Morning headaches
  • Waking up with a sore throat
  • Restless sleep
  • Mental fog, mood changes, and problems with concentration
  • Extreme daytime exhaustion

What are the risks of untreated obstructive sleep apnea?

If you even suspect that you might have sleep apnea, it’s important to be evaluated by an ENT doctor. Why? Ignoring your sleep apnea could have detrimental and long-term effects. For instance, those with untreated sleep apnea are more likely to deal with:

  • Depression
  • Diabetes
  • Heart failure
  • Heart attack
  • Cardiovascular disease
  • High blood pressure
  • Stroke

How can an ear, nose & throat doctor help?

The first thing that our team of Long Beach, CA, ENT doctors will do is determine whether or not your symptoms are due to sleep apnea, or if there is another problem present. If your snoring is affecting both you and your partner’s relationship or if you are waking up exhausted and in a mental fog most days, then you should make an appointment today.

Here at our office, we offer a variety of both nonsurgical and surgical treatment options geared to helping those with varying degrees of sleep apnea. Most people turn to CPAP therapy, a special machine that pumps pressurized air through the nose and mouth to keep airways open while asleep.

Of course, this isn’t the only option. Some patients may choose to receive oral appliance therapy or turn to surgery. This is something that we will be happy to discuss during your appointment.

Concerned? Give us a call

Not getting the quality sleep you deserve every night? If you suspect that you might have sleep apnea, call Tan Head and Neck Center in Long Beach, CA, today at (562) 988-8818 to schedule a sleep evaluation.