Obstructive Sleep Apnea services offered in Hartsdale, NY

Sleep is usually taken for granted, but if you’re one of the 30 million Americans who snores loudly, wakes up feeling exhausted despite sleeping for the whole night in bed, or has been observed to stop breathing while sleeping, obstructive sleep apnea could be the culprit. At Westchester ENT, board-certified otolaryngologist Aaron Spingarn, MD, will examine you to determine if there are any physical causes for your poor-quality sleep, and can offer you the opportunity to have an at-home sleep test to investigate whether you have obstructive sleep apnea. Once you have a diagnosis, Dr. Spingarn can recommend appropriate treatment to help you get a refreshing night’s rest. Call our office in Hartsdale, NY, at 914.686.3950 to schedule an evaluation, or book your appointment online today.

What is obstructive 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?

Snoring is sometimes, but not always, a symptom of obstructive sleep apnea. Not every person who snores has obstructive sleep apnea, but everyone with obstructive sleep apnea snores. The big red flags are what your snoring sounds like (do others tell you that your breathing stops sometimes, and does it sound like you are holding your breath) and whether it comes with other symptoms, like not feeling well-rested in the morning, gasping for air, choking, or daytime fatigue.

How does obstructive sleep apnea contribute to sleep disorders?

Obstructive sleep apnea is a common sleep disorder. Others include central sleep apnea, insomnia, restless legs syndrome, narcolepsy, and more. People with untreated obstructive 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, obstructive 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 your sleep apnea is due to underlying anatomical issues, Dr. Spingarn might recommend an office procedure to open up a blocked nose or stiffen your soft palate. Additionally, there are surgeries to remove excessive tissue in your throat, 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 obstructive sleep apnea solutions, call Westchester ENT at 914.686.3950 or book an appointment online today.