"If you snore loudly, wake up feeling tired, or have pauses in breathing while you sleep, it may be more than just a poor night's rest," says John (Caleb) Simmons, MD, Ear, Nose, and Throat (ENT) at ARC South Specialty. "It might be sleep apnea, a common condition that can affect your overall health, including your heart. The good news is that with proper diagnosis and treatment, many people sleep better, feel better, and reduce their risk of serious health problems."
What is sleep apnea?
Sleep apnea is a disorder that causes your breathing to repeatedly stop and start during sleep. There are two main types:
- Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is where your upper airway gets partially or completely blocked while you sleep.
- Central sleep apnea (CSA), cessation of respiratory drive results in a lack of respiratory movements.
OSA is more common, but both types can reduce oxygen levels during sleep and prevent you from getting the quality rest your body needs.
How can sleep apnea affect your heart?
Your heart should get a chance to rest while you sleep. But if your breathing keeps stopping and starting throughout the night, that rest is interrupted. Night after night, those pauses can put extra strain on your heart.
Left untreated, sleep apnea has been linked to high blood pressure and other heart conditions. Finding the problem early and getting treatment can help you sleep more soundly while protecting your overall health.
Common signs you may need a sleep study
If you have symptoms of sleep apnea, your ENT or advanced practice clinician (APC) may recommend testing with a sleep study.
Common symptoms include:
- Loud snoring
- Pauses in breathing during sleep that someone else notices
- Waking up gasping or choking
- Feeling tired, even after a full night's sleep
- Morning headaches
- Difficulty concentrating during the day
Depending on your symptoms and medical history, your clinician may recommend a home sleep study or an in-lab sleep study. Both types of sleep apnea studies collect information about your breathing, oxygen levels, and sleep patterns to help diagnose the condition and determine the best treatment. "A home sleep study is appropriate for many patients with suspected obstructive sleep apnea, while an in-lab sleep study may be recommended if symptoms suggest a more complex sleep disorder or if additional monitoring is needed," explains Dr. Simmons.
Treatment for sleep apnea
If you are diagnosed with sleep apnea, treatment may include lifestyle changes, a CPAP (Continuous Positive Airway Pressure) machine, oral appliance therapy (OAT), or, if appropriate, a surgically implanted hypoglossal nerve stimulation (HGNS) device such as Inspire or Genio. HGNS devices use gentle electrical pulses to stimulate the hypoglossal nerve, moving the tongue forward during sleep to help keep the airway open.
"The most important thing is not to ignore the symptoms," says Dr. Simmons. "Sleep apnea is highly treatable, and getting evaluated can improve your sleep, protect your long-term health, and help you wake up feeling like yourself again."
About ARC ENT Sleep Medicine
ARC Ear, Nose, and Throat (ENT) sleep medicine clinicians specialize in diagnosing and treating sleep-related conditions. Symptoms of sleep disorders can include difficulty falling asleep, frequent waking, or feeling tired during the day. To help address these issues, ARC ENT Sleep Medicine experts offer a wide range of services, including sleep studies, behavioral interventions, medications, and specialized treatment.
Book an appointment today
Dr. Simmons is accepting new patients of all ages at ARC South Specialty in Austin. To make an appointment, use ARC MyChart or call 512-272-4636 (512-ARC-INFO) and choose option "1".