Snoring can become a more serious issue if there are noted pauses in breathing. When your sleep breathing stops and starts throughout the night, your ENT doctor may diagnose sleep apnea.
Which type of doctor is best for sleep apnea?
Pulmonologists (Breathing/Lung Doctors) Pulmonologists are medical specialists that focus on the health of the respiratory system. These physicians are very familiar with sleep disorders, including OSA, and manage other diseases such as COPD, asthma, and other breathing disorders that may be related to sleep apnea.
What is the ENT procedure for sleep apnea?
Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty. This sleep apnea surgery may have a long name, but the positive effects are long-lasting as well. During the procedure the ENT will remove tissues from the throat, uvula, tonsils, adenoids or the soft palate.
Can an ENT specialist help with snoring?
An ENT can help determine the cause of your snoring and recommend appropriate treatment options. Treatment for snoring may include lifestyle changes, oral appliances or surgery.
Does ENT diagnose sleep apnea Related Questions
Can a doctor tell if you have sleep apnea by looking at your throat?
Your doctor will likely check your mouth, throat, and neck to look for mechanical causes of sleep apnea.
Is sleep apnea considered neurological?
Obstructive sleep apnea syndrome involves abnormal upper airway sensory input, which may be responsible for the development of apneas and hypopneas. These neurological lesions are persistent despite nasal CPAP treatment.
What is the number one treatment for sleep apnea?
A breathing device, such as a CPAP machine, is the most common treatment for sleep apnea. A CPAP machine provides constant air pressure in your throat to keep the airway open when you breathe in.
How do you fix sleep apnea without a CPAP machine?
Oral Appliances. Just as there are dental professionals who specialize in orthodontics or dental implants, there are also those who can help with sleep apnea. Oral Surgery. In some cases, genetics can be the cause of sleep apnea. Weight Loss. Positional Therapy. Inspire Therapy.
What is better than CPAP for sleep apnea?
Oral appliance therapy is an alternative to CPAP treatment for many people with obstructive sleep apnea. An oral appliance is a specially fitted device that you wear while sleeping. It helps position your mouth in a way that keeps your airway open.
Are you sedated for a sleep apnea test?
Patients who can’t fall asleep can take a mild sedative to help them doze off and get accurate results. You’ll be monitored throughout the night. The technologist can start a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) device or give treatment for restless legs if needed.
What is the most common surgery for sleep apnea?
Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UPPP) is the most common surgical procedure for OSA. This method removes excess tissue from the soft palate and pharynx, which are common sites of obstruction in many patients.
What is the recovery time for sleep apnea?
Although the recovery process can be painful, most people recover in three to four weeks and notice an improvement after two months.
Does removing adenoids help with sleep apnea?
Typically, when treating for sleep apnea, both the tonsils and the adenoids are removed to open up the airway and ease breathing. The tonsils are soft masses of tissue at the rear of the throat; the adenoids are masses of soft tissue behind the nasal cavity.
Can sleep apnea be cured?
Is There a Cure for Sleep Apnea? While there is no cure for sleep apnea, studies show that certain lifestyle factors can reverse or make your sleep apnea less intense. Other treatment or surgical options can also reverse the condition. Sleep apnea happens when your upper airway muscles relax while you sleep.
What’s the difference between snoring and sleep apnea?
Snoring is the hoarse or harsh sound that occurs when air flows past relaxed tissues in your mouth. Sleep apnea is a condition where the upper passages of your airway close off, interrupting your breathing and depriving you of oxygen until you wake and start breathing again.
What can be misdiagnosed as sleep apnea?
Diabetes. GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease) Low testosterone. Hypothyroidism. Sexual dysfunction. Depression. High blood pressure.
What is the most telling symptoms of sleep apnea?
The most common symptoms of obstructive and central sleep apneas include: Loud snoring. Episodes in which you stop breathing during sleep — which would be reported by another person. Gasping for air during sleep.
What does sleep apnea fatigue feel like?
More than usual daytime sleepiness. Waking up with a dry throat or headache. Waking up often during the night. Difficulty concentrating or mood changes during the day.
How long will it take to reverse damage from sleep apnea?
Averagely, the effects will start showing around three months, and full recovery can be up to a year. Sleep apnea should be dealt with as soon as possible.
What diseases are associated with sleep apnea?
Several studies have shown an association between sleep apnea and problems like type 2 diabetes , strokes , heart attacks and even a shortened lifespan, says Jun.