How Is Sleep Apnea Treated?

Sleep apnea is a common condition that a lot of people experience. This happens when you stop breathing while you are asleep. Of course, you will start breathing again, but it can be quite concerning if you lose your breath while you are asleep. The most common form of this condition is what is known as obstructive sleep apnea, often shortened to OSA. 

No matter how severe your sleep apnea is, it is important to get in touch with an experienced ENT doctor who will be able to assist you and provide the treatment you need. With that being said, continue reading to find out more about sleep apnea and how it is treated. 

Symptoms of sleep apnea 

Before we take a look at the different ways that this can be treated, it is important to learn more about the symptoms so that you can figure out whether or not this is something you need to be concerned with. The trouble is that most of the symptoms happen while you are sleeping, which can make it difficult for you to realize that you have sleep apnea. 

Some of the most common side effects of having sleep apnea include loud snoring, waking up a lot during the night, your breathing stopping and starting a lot, and making choking, snorting, or gasping noises during your sleep. 

Of course, it can be difficult to notice signs like this because you will be asleep at the time. However, there are some things that you could notice during the day if you are experiencing this condition. For example, you may notice you tend to have a headache when you wake up.

Other symptoms throughout the day include mood swings, finding it difficult to concentrate, and feeling very tired. As it can be difficult to determine whether or not you have sleep apnea, it can be useful to ask for someone to stay with you while you sleep to determine whether or not you have this condition. 

Sleep apnea treatments

Now that you are aware of some of the different signs and indications that you may have sleep apnea, let’s take a look at the treatment options. It is important to recognize that treatment is not always required. It could be that you only have mild symptoms and so your ENT doctor may decide to simply monitor the situation instead. 

However, there are a number of different treatment options that are available, though, should you need them. One of the most popular is the use of a CPAP machine. For those who are unaware, you will need to wear a mask over your nose and mouth while you are sleeping, and then the CPAP machine is going to gently pump air into the mask while you are asleep. 

There are a number of different benefits associated with this. A CPAP machine can help to lower the risk of issues linked to sleep apnea, such as high blood pressure, as well as helping you to feel less tired by enhancing the quality of your sleep. Ultimately, the machine works by preventing your airways from getting too narrow while you sleep, which will improve your breathing. 

While a CPAP machine is the most common treatment that is prescribed when someone has sleep apnea, there are some other options that are available. This is why it is critical to book an appointment with an ENT doctor so that they can assess your symptoms and advise on the best course of treatment for you. Some of the other options may include having surgery to remove your tonsils. Alternatively, you may be advised to use a mandibular advancement device. For those who are unaware, this is a device that is like a gum shield and will hold your airways open while you are asleep.

Contact us today for more information if you suspect that you may have sleep apnea 

We hope that this has helped you to get a better understanding of the condition and what to expect. Should you require any further help or assistance, or if you are ready to get in touch with an ENT doctor who can provide the assistance you need, please do not hesitate to get in touch with Mountain Ear, Nose & Throat Associates today. You can contact one of our local offices. The details are as follows: Sylva: 828-586-7474, Franklin: 828-524-5599, Murphy: 828-835-1014, New Asheville: 828-458-8100.