If you feel tired after having a deep night’s sleep and snore loudly, you may be suffering from sleep apnea. Sleep Apnea is a state in which breathing repeatedly stops and starts while taking rest. Some of the common types of this sleeping disorder are:
It occurs when your throat muscles intermittently relax and block the air pathway during sleep. One of its causes is snoring.
It occurs when an individual’s brain doesn't send proper signals to the muscles controlling breathing. Mainly, it emerges from the conditions like:
• Heart Failure
• Stroke
• Sleeping at a high altitude
Complex Sleep Apnea: Complex sleep apnea syndrome (or CompSAS) is characterized by the repetitive collapse of the upper airway which can lead to O2 arterial Oxygen desaturation and arousal, if the disorder is left untreated.
Some of the common symptoms of sleep apnea include:
• Loud snoring
• Irritability
• Stopping breathing while sleeping-it may be reported by someone else
• Gasping for air while sleeping
• Having a dry mouth when awake
• Headache after the sleep
• Having difficulty paying attention even after awakening
• Insomnia
• Hypersomnia
• High blood pressure
There are multiple factors that can cause sleep apnea, such as:
• Obesity
• Nasal congestion
• A lump in the nose
• Loosening of the sole
• Swallowed tonsils
• Sometimes inappropriate collar size may be the cause of it
Your ENT Specialist may evaluate your symptoms and signs for sleep apnea along with your sleep history, and advise on further testing for an accurate diagnosis of the disorder. An evaluation may include nightly monitoring of your breathing and other physiological systems at a sleep facility. Sleep apnea can be detected by using a variety of tests, which may include:
• Nocturnal Polysomnography: You'll be linked up to equipment that will examine your heart, lungs, and mental activity, patterns of breathing, arm and leg movements, and oxygen level of your blood as you sleep during this test.
• Home sleep tests: These simple home-tests are helpful for measuring your breathing rate, blood oxygen level, and breathing pattern.
Your doctor may recommend lifestyle modifications for less intense sleep apnea, such as decreasing weight or avoiding smoking. If you have allergies related to the nose, your doctor will develop a treatment plan to address the underlying cause. If these techniques don't help your signs and symptoms, or if your apnea is moderate to severe, there are a variety of further treatment options, including physiotherapies. A clogged airway can be treated with the use of specific devices, whereas in some circumstances, surgery may be required. However, only a doctor can determine the best course of treatment to address the symptoms effectively.
We provide premier ENT care for patients at our state-of-the-art facility in Dubai. Our ENT staff is highly experienced and trained in conducting testing and determining treatment options for sleep apnea. American Hospital Dubai is recognized for its quality and performance, and is among the rarest facilities in UAE that offers technologically advanced treatment options for a plethora of medical conditions. If you suffer from sleep apnea or have severe difficulty in breathing, seek proper medical attention. You can schedule your appointment with an ENT Specialist at American Hospital by filling out our secure online form.
