Pete Campbell

Sleep apnea is a disorder where the breathing stops and starts recurrently. The most basic symptom of detecting this ailment is snoring loudly and feeling tired even if you are sleeping the entire night. So, let's learn more about the disorder and how a reliable doctor can help you through the recovery period.

What are the types of sleep apnea?

There are three main types of this ailment:

• Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA)

• Central sleep apnea (CSA)

• Treatment-emergent central sleep apnea

What are the symptoms of sleep apnea?

The common symptoms are 

• Snoring loudly

• The breathing stops during sleep

• Trying to gasp air while sleeping

• Waking up with a dry mouth

• Headache in the morning

• Insomnia

• Hypersomnia

When should you visit the doctor?

If more than three of the above symptoms are reported, you must seek a doctor's help, which indicates potentially severe problems. 

What are the diagnostic stages?

Based on your symptoms, the sleep apnea doctor would suggest specific diagnostic tests to infer and evaluate the condition. The diagnosis suggested are:

• Nocturnal polysomnography

  During this test, the patient is attached to a device that monitors the heart, lungs, and brain activity. The device helps detect the breathing pattern, blood pressure, and movement of the extremities. All these are measured while the patient is sleeping.

• Home sleep tests

  During this test, you measure your heart rate, blood oxygen level, airflow, and breathing pattern at home. It might also be recommended that you take a polysomnography test in a sleep testing facility rather than opting for a home sleep test.

  Treatment process

  If the patient is diagnosed with sleep apnea, then here are the treatments suggested by the doctor for milder cases. The doctor might suggest a change in lifestyle, quitting smoking, and losing weight. You might even have to change the position in which you usually sleep. You might also be suggested nasal allergy treatment if you have any moderate to severe cases. Therapies are suggested, such as: 

  • Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP)

  Here, a machine delivers air pressure through a mask when you are sleeping. This is the most common treatment method, but you might find the entire process uncomfortable, as the mask strap might take time to adjust. Alternatively, you can also try bilevel positive airway pressure (BPAP), which provides more pressure while you inhale and low pressure when you exhale.

  • Oral appliances

  If you are not comfortable wearing a mask, you can use oral applications meant to keep the throat open. This is quite effective, reliable, and easy to use. These appliances keep the throat open by bringing the jaw forward.

  • Surgery

  If the above treatments fail, surgery is recommended, such as uvulopalatopharyngoplasty, tissue shrinkage, jaw repositioning, implants, and nerve stimulations. If the problem becomes life-threatening, tracheostomy is recommended. 

Final words

Sleep apnea is now curable if you follow the doctor's prescription strictly. Often, treatment for associated medical problems can also cure this sleeping disorder. In this case, medicine charges and supplemental oxygen are required, or suggestions can be obtained from a visit Drkhliment.com.sg.