Adequate and undisrupted sleep is essential for your overall health and wellbeing. Besides strengthening your heart health, sleep promotes weight loss and reduces stress. Therefore, it is critical to see your doctor for any sleep issues for improved health.
Suppose you have sleep apnea in East Hampton, Richard L. Nass, M.D; F.A.C.S. can help you find a solution. Dr. Richard is a certified otolaryngologist that provides personalized treatments to restore your health. To learn more about the available treatments, contact their offices to schedule a consultation.
What is sleep apnea?
It is a condition where your breathing stops and regularly starts during sleep. The sequence can occur multiple times during the night.
Many factors can lead to sleep apnea, including issues with the mouth, larynx, nose, and throat. The problem obstructs airflow movement throughout the body.
When left untreated, sleep apnea puts you in danger of various health complications such as stroke, heart attack, depression, and more.
What are the different types of sleep apnea?
Sleep apnea mainly occurs in three types, including,
Obstructive sleep apnea
Most people experience this type of sleep apnea. It happens when the throat tissue falls, blocking the airway. The condition results from the relaxation of the throat back muscles.
Central sleep apnea
The brain usually controls most organs by sending them signals. Central sleep apnea results from your brain failing to signal the muscles responsible for breathing to operate.
Complex sleep apnea
This type of sleep apnea involves the combination of both central sleep apnea and obstructive sleep apnea. However, the condition does not occur much often.
What are the symptoms of sleep apnea?
If you have sleep apnea, you are likely to experience the following symptoms,
- Daytime fatigue
- Loud snoring
- Loss of libido
- Morning headaches
- Irritability
- Waking up gasping for air
You may also experience difficulty concentrating during the day due to disrupted sleep during the night.
How do doctors diagnose sleep apnea?
Your provider carries out a detailed examination of your upper airway and assesses your health history during your consultation. Dr. Nass then orders you to record your sleep patterns at home.
He issues a device that measures and takes checks of your heart function, vital organs, oxygen levels in your blood, and the number of times you stop and start breathing. Dr. Nass also encourages taking note of the leg movements and snoring.
When he doesn’t find beneficial results, your provider recommends doing the sleep study again in an observed setting.
What are the available sleep apnea treatments?
After finding diagnostic results, your provider may recommend the following treatments based on your findings.
Dental appliance
It helps limit the tongue from blocking the airway by drawing your jaw out.
Continuous positive airway pressure
This device enhances constant airflow during sleep. It involves a small machine with a mask placed on your nose.
Surgery
When your condition does not improve with other treatments, surgery is necessary. It involves removing the back tissue in your throat to prevent air blockage.
Lifestyle modifications including regular exercise, weight loss, reduced alcohol intake, and sleeping on your side may improve your condition.
Contact a sleep apnea specialist today
To prevent the complications related to sleep apnea, call Richard L. Nass today for your consultation.
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