Sleep Apnea and Snoring Treatment in Greater New Orleans, LA

Sleep Apnea

Sleep apnea is a breathing condition that occurs while you are asleep. It causes the body to momentarily stop breathing repeatedly throughout the night, robbing the body of oxygen. As a result, patients with sleep apnea experience poor-quality sleep and, when left untreated, face serious health conditions.

Obstructive Sleep Apnea

Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) is the most common form of sleep apnea. OSA is caused by the soft tissues in the back of the throat relaxing and blocking the airway, hindering your breathing while you sleep. When this occurs, your brain detects the obstruction but cannot prevent it, waking you repeatedly throughout the night.

Central Sleep Apnea

Central sleep apnea is far less common than obstructive sleep apnea. However, it is more severe. Central sleep apnea develops because of a neurological condition. In short, this means the brain is not working properly, failing to instruct the muscles to breathe.

Symptoms of Sleep Apnea

Sleep apnea comes with a range of uncomfortable symptoms. The common symptoms include:

• Loud snoring
• Frequently waking
• Choking or gasping
• Excessive daytime sleepiness
• Chronic fatigue
• Morning headaches
• Restlessness at night
• Lackof concentration and memory
• Changes in mood
• Loss of libido

Understanding Snoring

Snoring is described as the reverberating noise that derives from the throat and mouth muscles once they become relaxed during sleep. When these muscles overly relax, they restrict the airways and trigger a vibration in the tissues, creating a snoring sound. While simple snoring is possible, extreme snoring is often a symptom of sleep apnea.

Types of Snoring

Approximately 40% of men and 30% ofwomen snore periodically, with 15% of the population classified as frequent snorers. However, not everyone snores the same, as sleep positions, lifestyle habits, and personal characteristics contribute to how one snores. The different types of snoring include:

• Mouth snoring
• Nasal snoring
• Tongue snoring
• Throat snoring

Symptoms of Snoring

It may be challenging to determinewhether you snore unless someone lets you know. However, there are certaincomplications experienced by those who snore due to sleep apnea, including:

• Repeatedly waking during the night
• Inability to achieve deep, restorative sleep
• Elevated blood pressure
• Chronic fatigue

Snoring Causes

Snoring can be caused by several factors. Some forms of snoring are temporary. Others may be a sign of sleep apnea. The common causes of snoring include:

• Nasal airway blockages (allergies, sinus infections, nasal polyps, and more)
• Excess throat tissue
• Weak tongue and throat muscles
• Extended soft palate and/or uvula
• Alcohol and drug use
• Weight
• Sleep position
• Sleep deprivation

How Sleep Apnea and Snoring Is Diagnosed

At ENT & Allergy of New Orleans, diagnosing sleep apnea and snoring begins with a physical assessment. Our evaluation can detect minor concerns, including swollen tonsilsor a deviated septum that may contribute to snoring. In other cases, we may pursue imaging tests to observe the airways and/or a sleep study.

Sleep Study Process

A sleep study may be recommended togain insight into your snoring and/or sleep apnea. These tests can be done at home while connected to a machine monitor or in our lab using a polysomnographytest to assess your sleep patterns. These studies measure several key indicators, such as heart rate, brain activity, and breathing.

Snoring Treatment

Snoring treatments depend on the nature and severity of a patient’s snoring. Common treatment methods include:

• Lifestyle modifications includingweight loss, refraining from alcohol, quitting smoking
• Oral appliances to open the airwayswhile you sleep
• Surgery to remove/reduce the size ofthroat tissues
• Continuous positive airway pressure(CPAP) machine to push air into the airway while you sleep

Snoring vs. Sleep Apnea

Snoring is a frequently seen symptom of sleep apnea. However, not every person that snores will have sleep apnea. Sleep apnea is categorized as momentary breathing interruptions with severe health implications when left untreated. In contrast, snoring has an array of causes and can be as simple as changing your sleep position.

Choose ENT & Allergy of New Orleans

ENT & Allergy of New Orleans isyour trusted partner in snoring and sleep apnea treatment. With a wealth ofexperience, we combine state-of-the-art diagnostic equipment and ourtime-honored expertise to get to the root of your sleep disturbance. From minor to severe sleep conditions, count on our professionals for comprehensive treatment.

Schedule a Snoring or Sleep Apnea Consultation Today

You've come to the right place if you’re tired of navigating unrestful sleep. ENT & Allergy of New Orleans is here to help you alleviate the problematic symptoms of snoring and sleep apnea with custom-tailored diagnostic and treatment plans. Contact our team today to schedule your consultation.