Sleep Apnea Treatment
Sleep Apnea Doctor in Dallas, Tx
Advanced adult Sleep Apnea treatment
Many people may not realize that they have sleep apnea until, of course, someone complains that their snoring is impossible to bear. Whether a person snores or may have regular fatigue at the start of the day, it is essential to visit a doctor. Treating sleep apnea in time can help prevent future complications like high blood pressure and heart arrhythmias.
Diagnosing Obstructive Sleep Apnea?
Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) is when the person stops breathing for around 10 seconds or maybe longer when sleeping. The episodes can repeatedly occur, ranging from them being 5 times an hour in very mild cases and up to 30 times or even more in severe cases.
The condition develops when the soft tissues in the mouth and, in particular, the tongue, will fall in the back of the throat, covering the airway. When the airway is blocked, it leads to snoring, and you can temporarily stop breathing.
When a patient is unable to breathe, the oxygen levels in the blood rapidly drop. That then alerts the brain, leading to you waking up for a few seconds to start breathing. The patient usually does not wake up fully to breathe, so they aren’t aware of OSA.
Symptoms of Sleep Apnea
Some of the most common symptoms of sleep apnea are:
- Chronic tiredness throughout the day
- Frequent bathroom trips at night
- Headache in the morning
- Loud snoring
- Waking up with a sore throat or dry mouth
Loud snoring has to be one of the most common symptoms in patients suffering from sleep apnea. People in your household may also notice this cycle of loud snoring then sudden silence, and that’s followed by a snort or gasp for air.
Sleep Apnea Diagnosis
The best and perhaps the only way to properly diagnose OSA is via a sleep study. However, you may not have to visit an overnight sleep study lab because the doctor can also order a home sleep study.
The patient will need to wear the following during a home sleep study:
- Hook up a sensor to the finger which actively monitor oxygen levels
- A band around the chest that measures breathing
- An instrument called a nasal cannula which measures the flow of air through your nose
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All of these sensors send information to a small portable monitor. The doctor will then evaluate the data and determine the severity of a person’s OSA.
Sleep Apnea Treatment
Sleep apnea treatment depends on its severity. If a person is suffering from mild OSA and they are probably overweight, then losing a few pounds can help eliminate the symptoms to a great extent. Moderate to severe OSA may require continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) or some oral appliance.
CPAP works by delivering air through a special mask, which ensures enough pressure to keep the airway open. The oral appliance works by holding the tongue and jaw in a forward position so that the tongue does not block the airway. Visit our Murphy Neurology clinic today!
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