Why treat sleep apnea?

Sleep apnea is more common than you would imagine and has the potential to be life threatening if left untreated. In fact, one out of five people 35 years or older suffers from some form of sleep apnea — and inability to breathe properly through the nose or mouth while sleeping.

Certain mechanical and structural problems in the airway can cause interruptions in breathing during sleep. In some people, apnea occurs when the throat muscles and tongue relax during sleep and partially block the opening of the airway. This results in heavy snoring, choking, lack of oxygen flow and sudden arousals and overall poor sleep quality.

Sleep Apnea Can Erode The Quality Of Your Life

The consequences of sleep apnea range from annoying to life threatening. They include falling asleep while at work or driving, depression, hypertension, obesity, irritability, sexual dysfunction, heart failure, stroke, learning and memory difficulties. But with treatment, patients find they become more active and vibrant during the day thanks to a good night’s sleep.

Sleep apnea is associated with obesity, high blood pressure and irregular heartbeat. Risk of heart attack and stroke also increases with sleep apnea. Treating it helps alleviate symptoms of these conditions. Patients undergoing treatment also get better results out of the medications taken for related illnesses or conditions over a period of time. After appropriate treatment, people who are suffering the effects of sleep apnea see vast improvement in their quality of life.

Learn how sleep apnea is diagnosed >>

Sleep Apnea Treatment

There are various methods and equipment available to treat sleep apnea and the treatment varies from person to person based on diagnostic results, physical examination and medical history. Medications have not proven to be useful for treating sleep apnea.

• Non-invasive devices are used by patients to increase oxygen flow and apply airway pressure to ensure blockage-free nasal passages.
• Surgery is recommended in severe cases where airway obstructions such as adenoids, tonsils, nasal polyps, structural deformity and other growths or tissue in the airway can be corrected.
• Behavioral therapy in which patients adopt lifestyle and behavioral changes to manage sleep apnea.

Learn more about treatment options for sleep apnea >>

Treatment begins with a sleep study during which the patient's nighttime sleep patterns are studied to identify problems and help devise a treatment plan.