Snoring and Sleep Apnea

Snoring and sleep apnea are common ailments millions of people suffer from each night. While snoring can be loud and disruptive to loved ones, it is important to remember that it may signal a life threatening disorder, such as sleep apnea. Both snoring and sleep apnea prevent you from getting the sleep you need to be energetic, productive, and an overall happy person. Luckily, snoring and sleep apnea are related medical problems that our ENT doctors can commonly treat

It is extremely important to distinguish between snoring and sleep apnea, as their treatment plan and level of urgency are quite different. While the majority of people will snore at some point in their lives, it is typically more of a social problem than a serious health issue. Snoring can be either intermittent or habitual, and while it is often a problem for a bed partner, it is not life threatening.

On the other hand, chronic snoring can be a sign of sleep apnea and will require a visit to the ear, nose, and throat clinic.

Sleep Apnea

Even though both snoring and sleep apnea can be disruptive and cause social problems with your bed partner and others who reside under the same roof, sleep apnea can be life threatening. You should contact your ENT doctor in North Texas if you suffer from chronic snoring, as it may be a sign of sleep apnea and could possibly mean decreased levels of oxygen during sleep and decreased REM sleep. Lack of sleep and oxygen can result in mood swings, poor concentration and energy, and a higher risk of developing cardiac and pulmonary disease.If you don’t not seek treatment, you may also be at an elevated risk for strokes, heart attacks, and cardiac rhythm abnormalities. It is important to note that only a physician or ENT doctor can determine whether or not you are suffering from sleep apnea.

Snoring and breathing cessations are common symptoms of sleep apnea that should prompt you to contact your ENT doctor, but there are additional symptoms you should be aware of, including:

Symptoms of Sleep Apnea:

Snoring with pauses in breathing
Excessive daytime drowsiness
Gasping or choking during sleep
Restless sleep
Problem with mental function
Poor judgment
Memory loss
Quick to anger
High blood pressure

Non-medical treatments that may be recommended by your ENT doctor to treat snoring and sleep apnea include:

Weight loss – as little as 10 pounds may make a difference
Change of sleep position
Avoiding alcohol, caffeine, and heavy meals
Avoid sedatives

Comprehensive Sleep Apnea Care

At Central Park ENT, we believe treating obstructive sleep apnea starts with finding the solution that fits your life. Our experienced ENT specialists offer a range of treatment options based on your symptoms, anatomy, and sleep study results.

Your personalized treatment plan may include minimally invasive procedures such as radio frequency treatment or laser-assisted uvuloplasty, oral appliance therapy, or CPAP (Continuous Positive Airway Pressure) therapy, the traditional treatment that uses a mask and gentle airflow to keep your airway open during sleep.

Inspire® Therapy, A New Way to Sleep Better

If CPAP hasn’t worked for you, don’t give up on getting the restful sleep you deserve.

Inspire® therapy is an innovative, FDA-approved treatment that works comfortably inside your body to help keep your airway open while you sleep. Unlike CPAP, Inspire requires no mask, no hose, and no noisy machine, just natural breathing and more restful sleep.

If you’re looking for a more comfortable alternative to CPAP, schedule an appointment for a consult with our doctors at Central Park ENT to learn more and learn whether Inspire® therapy is right for you. It could be the solution that helps you finally get the healthy, restorative sleep you’ve been missing.

If you have any questions regarding the symptoms, treatment, or characteristics of snoring and sleep apnea, please do not hesitate to contact our ear, nose, and throat clinics today in Arlington, Mansfield, Denton, Dallas and Fort Worth.