Sleep Apnea

Sleep is something you may take for granted until you’re not getting enough of it. If you’re one of the 30 million Americans who snores loudly, wakes up feeling exhausted despite a whole night in bed, or seems to stop breathing while sleeping, sleep apnea could be the culprit. At Westchester ENT, board-certified otolaryngologist Aaron Spingarn, MD, offers at-home sleep apnea tests to investigate your sleep issues and help you get a refreshing night’s rest. Call the Hartsdale, New York, office at 914.686.3950 to schedule an evaluation or book your appointment online today.

What is sleep apnea?

This sleep disorder causes your breathing to repeatedly stop and start while you sleep, and these pauses may happen dozens or even hundreds of times a night. The result is poor sleep quality and less oxygen reaching your brain and the rest of your body.

Is snoring always a sign of sleep apnea?

Sometimes, but not every person who snores has sleep apnea. The big red flag is how you’re snoring and whether it comes with other symptoms, like gasping for air, choking, or daytime fatigue.

How does sleep apnea contribute to sleep disorders?

Sleep apnea is a common sleep disorder. Others include insomnia, restless legs syndrome, narcolepsy, and more. People with untreated sleep apnea often deal with:

• Constant tiredness and difficulty concentrating
• Mood swings or depression
• High blood pressure
• Heart disease
• Increased risk of stroke and diabetes

Because it directly affects your sleep quality and oxygen levels, sleep apnea is considered one of the more serious sleep disorders and contributes to other sleep issues by impacting your health, exacerbating insomnia, and fragmenting your slumber.

How is sleep apnea treated?

Dr. Spingarn may recommend:

Lifestyle changes
Sleeping on your side instead of your back and avoiding alcohol, sedatives, and smoking are often the first steps and can make a big difference. If you’re overweight, getting to a healthy weight can make breathing easier.

CPAP machines
CPAP stands for “continuous positive airway pressure.” It’s the most common and effective treatment for moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnea. A CPAP machine uses a mask to deliver a constant stream of air, which keeps your airway open while you sleep.

Other devices
BiPAP (bilevel positive airway pressure) machines are a variant of CPAP that offer two pressure levels for breathing in and out. Oral appliances can help in mild to moderate cases by repositioning the tongue or jaw.

Surgery
If nothing else works or if your sleep apnea is due to underlying anatomical issues, Dr. Spingarn might recommend surgery to remove tissue, reposition the jaw, or implant devices that keep the airway open.

Getting good sleep is as much about quality as quantity, and Dr. Spingarn can help you get answers with a sleep study at home. For effective sleep apnea solutions, call Westchester ENT at 914.686.3950 or book an appointment online today.