Snoring & Sleep Apnea

Common Signs & Symptoms Of OSA:

• Irregular Breathing during Sleep

• Nighttime Gasping, Choking or Coughing

• Frequent Nighttime Urination

• Morning Headaches

• Disruption of bed partner’s sleep

• Excessive Daytime Sleepiness

• Drooling

• Dry Mouth

• Gastroesophageal Reflux

• Depression

• Lack of Energy

Important! If you are suffering from any of these symptoms, see a doctor right away do not try to diagnose yourself. There are other more serious conditions which share the same symptoms.

Prevalence of Sleep Apnea

According to an August 2014 article published in the Cleveland Clinic Journal of Medicine an estimated 17% of the general adult population has obstructive sleep apnea. Nearly 1 in 15 adults have at least moderate sleep apnea and approximately 85% of those individuals are undiagnosed and untreated.

Common Conditions Associated With OSA

• Approximately 76% of congestive heart failure patients have OSA

• 49% of atrial fibrillation patients have OSA

• Anywhere from 30 to 83% of patients with hypertension have OSA

• 48% of type 2 diabetes sufferers have OSA which may have a causal role in the development of type 2 diabetes

• 86% of obese type 2 diabetes patients have OSA

• 65% of stroke patients have OSA. Moderate to severe sleep apnea triples stroke risk in men

The Importance of Seeking Help

According to the aforementioned Cleveland Clinic article people with OSA are at increased risk of nocturnal sudden cardiac death. Sleep apnea is also associated with an increased overall death rate, and the higher the apnea-hypopnea index, the higher the death rate, even after adjusting for age, sex, body mass index, and underlying cardiovascular risk, with findings most pronounced in men under age 70.

How We Treat Sleep Apnea

Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP)
Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) is the frontline treatment for obstructive sleep apnea. CPAP keeps your airway open during the night by gently providing a constant stream of air through a mask you wear while you sleep. This will eliminate the breathing pauses caused by OSA, so you will no longer snore or make choking noises in your sleep. You will be able to sleep through the night without your body waking up from lack of oxygen.

APAP machines are Automatic versions of CPAP machines. They have more robust features than a CPAP machine and generally do not cost you extra. At Dream Sleep Medicine, we will ALWAYS prescribe you an APAP machine to ensure you have access to the full suite of treatment/comfort options available for your treatment modality.

When you use APAP, you will feel more alert during the daytime. Your mood will improve and you will have a better memory. APAP prevents or even reverses serious health problems associated with sleep apnea such as heart disease and stroke. Your partner may even sleep better because you will stop snoring.

APAP comes with a machine, a hose for air and a mask. Most machines are small – about the size of a tissue box – lightweight and relatively quiet. You can keep the APAP machine on your nightstand or at the side of your bed.

Research shows treatment of OSA using APAP therapy improves daytime blood pressure, heart rate and reduces blood glucose levels.

Learn More →

Oral Appliance Therapy
Oral Appliance Therapy involves the selection, fitting and use of a specially designed oral appliance that maintains an open, unobstructed airway when worn during sleep. Oral appliances reposition and maintain the lower jaw in a protruded position during sleep. This opens the airway by indirectly pulling the tongue and soft tissue behind the tongue forward.

Inspire Therapy
Inspire is a FDA Approved Device that works inside your body while you sleep. It’s a small device placed during a same-day, outpatient procedure. When your’re ready for bed, simply click the remote to turn Inspire on. While you sleep, Inspire opens your airway, allowing you to breathe normally and sleep peacefully. We are the first clinic in the entire state of Texas to be a member of the Inspire Institute Excellence Program. The Inspire Excellence Program recognizes physicians and their team who demonstrate their commitment to delivering an exceptional patient experience while achieving excellent clinical outcomes. The recognition by Inspire is a unique honor awarded currently to just a handful of sleep centers around the world.

Learn More →

Weight Loss

Weight changes can significantly affect the severity of sleep apnea, perhaps even leading to a reassessment of the degree of OSA and CPAP requirements.

Avoiding Certain Medications
Benzodiazepines, narcotics, and alcohol reduce upper airway muscle tone and should be avoided. No medications are associated with improvement of OSA.

Positional Therapy
Sometimes sleep apnea is much worse when lying on your back compared to sleeping on your side. In such instances the use of a “bumper belt” which forces you to sleep on your side may be a sufficient remedy for OSA.

Surgical Interventions
Some patients with sleep disordered breathing may be candidates for a surgical intervention and these options can be discussed at your visit.