What is Sleep Apnea?

Sleep apnea is a sleep disorder characterized by repetitive pauses in breathing while sleeping.  These pauses (or apnea episodes) cause multiple breath cycles to be missed, and in some cases patients can go for several seconds without breathing at all.  Such episodes decrease the amount of oxygen the brain and other bodily organs receive, which can lead to serious health problems such as high blood pressure, increased risk for stroke and heart attack, and learning and developmental problems in children.   Sleep apnea sufferers experience drastic decreases in blood oxygen saturation levels during the night, which (aside from leading to potential physical disorders) can also carry over into their daily lives, affecting everything from concentration and memory to overall mood and sex drive.

Types of Sleep Apnea

There are two types of sleep apnea, obstructive sleep apnea and central sleep apnea. Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is caused by tissue in the airway blocking the passage of air during sleep. Central sleep apnea (CSA), on the other hand, is the result of the inability of the brain and nervous system to effectively regulate the natural breathing process.

Chronic snoring can be a sign of obstructive sleep apnea, which is a serious condition that requires professional medical sleep apnea treatment.  Physicians use sleep studies, physical examinations, and blood tests to determine the severity of a patient’s sleep apnea.  Some people experience episodes hundreds of times an hour while they sleep, which is considered severe sleep apnea. This stopping or reducing the depth of breathing during sleep causes oxygen levels to decrease depriving your body and organs of the oxygen it needs.

While snoring can be disruptive to bed partners, obstructive sleep apnea is associated with a decrease in REM sleep, which is the stage the sleeping process responsible for deep, restful sleep and the rejuvenation of the body and mind.  Many sleep apnea sufferers never reach the REM stage because of the repeated breaks in breathing, which in turn can profoundly affect their productivity and mood during the day.  Sleep deprivation can result in mood swings, lack of concentration and energy, unsafe driving, daytime sleepiness, and weight gain.  More serious sleep apnea symptoms, as previously stated, include an increase in the risk of developing hypertension, heart failure, pulmonary diseases, stroke, heart attacks and cardiac rhythm abnormalities.

It is important that chronic snoring is distinguished between obstructive sleep apnea early due to the significant health consequences associated with the disease. Only a physician can determine if you have obstructive sleep apnea.

Sleep Apnea Treatment Options

If obstructive sleep apnea is diagnosed, there are both medical and surgical procedures that can greatly reduce or even completely eliminate these nightly apnea episodes.  Initial therapy usually involves the patient using a CPAP sleep apnea device, which stands for Continuous Positive Airway Pressure.   A CPAP device is essentially a mask which fits over your nose and blows in air to keep the patient’s airways open, allowing for a continuous healthy breathing process.

Most of these devices are small and easily stored for those who travel frequently.  Better technology resulting from recent research and development has made these devices machines quieter, more effective, and more tolerated by users.  Patients usually notice an immediate and significant improvement in their daytime function after initiating nasal CPAP therapy.

For those who are unable to tolerate nasal CPAP or who wish to pursue a permanent surgical cure for apnea, several additional options are available, including a wide range of minimally-invasive and simple to perform surgical options.  These procedures involve the surgical improvement of the nasal airway and treatment of enlarged tonsils or soft palate.  Other options focus on uvular enlargement or reduction, and there are even procedures that focus on correcting obstructions located at the base of the tongue.

Certain patients with obstructive sleep apnea may choose to pursue treatments such as the Pillar Procedure.  The Pillar Procedure is performed in a single short visit to the office and is minimally-invasive, which avoids a long recovery time.  The Pillar Procedure involves the placement of small polyester implants without stitches or incisions along the soft palate area of the mouth.  This procedure stiffens the soft palate and prevents it from collapsing into the airway during sleep, which can cause severe snoring and obstructive sleep apnea.  The professional physicians of the Atlanta Snoring Institute can evaluate your sleeping and breathing patterns and immediately determine if CPAP or sleep apnea surgery could help you receive a better night’s sleep and be more rested, productive, and happier throughout the day.