Got Sleep Apnea? Know Your Treatment Options

Chuan Jiang, MD, is a board-certified pulmonologist, nephrologist, and internal medicine physician in Flushing, New York. His broad range of medical expertise includes diagnosing and designing treatment strategies for obstructive sleep apnea.

Read what Dr. Jiang says about sleep apnea, its effects on your health, and the treatments available for this common sleep disorder.

Understanding sleep apnea

Sleep apnea occurs when you have pauses in your breathing or shallow breaths while you sleep. These pauses can last a few seconds to a couple of minutes and may occur multiple times an hour throughout the night.

When your brain senses the lack of oxygen, it startles you awake long enough to take a breath. Most people don’t realize they’re waking momentarily numerous times an hour, but the process prevents the restful sleep your body and brain need.

However, sleep apnea symptoms are usually noticeable to partners and family members, including loud snoring, pauses in breathing, and gasping for air.

The three main types of sleep apnea include:

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA)

OSA is the most common type of sleep apnea, occurring when muscles at the back of the throat fail to keep airways open when you breathe. This results in repetitive pauses in breathing during sleep.

Central sleep apnea (CSA)

CSA occurs when the brain fails to transmit proper signals to muscles that control breathing. Unlike OSA, there is no physical blockage of the airway. Instead, the brain temporarily stops initiating correct breathing patterns during sleep.

Complex sleep apnea syndrome

Also known as mixed or treatment-emergent sleep apnea, this type is a combination of both obstructive sleep apnea and central sleep apnea.

Health complications related to sleep apnea

Sleep apnea can cause health complications, such as:

Cardiovascular problems

Repeated episodes of decreased oxygen levels and increased carbon dioxide levels caused by sleep apnea strain the cardiovascular system, contributing to the development of:

• High blood pressure (hypertension)
• Irregular heartbeat (arrhythmia)
• Heart attack
• Stroke
• Heart failure

Treatment for sleep apnea reduces its effects on your cardiovascular system.

Daytime sleepiness and impaired cognitive function

Disrupted and fragmented sleep patterns related to sleep apnea lead to excessive daytime sleepiness, difficulty concentrating, memory problems, and poor cognitive function. This can impact daily activities, work performance, and overall quality of life.

Metabolic disturbances

Sleep apnea is associated with metabolic disturbances, such as insulin resistance, weight gain, glucose intolerance, and Type 2 diabetes. Researchers believe bodily stress caused by sleep apnea may contribute to these metabolic changes.

Mental health issues

People struggling with sleep apnea are at increased risk of developing depression, anxiety, and other mood disorders. Unfortunately, sleep apnea can also worsen mental health issues.

Reduced quality of life

Sleep apnea can significantly impact an individual's quality of life and may affect relationships, work performance, and overall well-being.

How do you diagnose and treat obstructive sleep apnea?

Dr. Jiang notes that he typically recommends a home sleep study (portable polysomnography) to diagnose OSA. Home studies are generally more convenient for the patient than the type performed in a sleep lab and utilize the same advanced technology to measure breathing patterns, airflow, and blood oxygen levels while you sleep.

The monitors send information to a recording device that allows Dr. Jiang to evaluate and diagnose OSA. If your study results indicate central sleep apnea or mixed type, Dr. Jiang may refer you to a neurologist for further care.

Otherwise, treatment for obstructive sleep apnea may include the following:

• Lifestyle changes, such as weight loss
• Avoiding alcohol and sedatives, which worsen OSA symptoms
• Use of continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machine to keep airways open
• Positional therapy

You may benefit from a custom-fit oral appliance that slightly shifts the lower jaw forward as you sleep, preventing throat muscles from collapsing and closing the airway. Dr. Jiang may recommend a surgical consult for severe OSA that doesn’t respond to conservative treatment.

Schedule an evaluation with Dr. Jiang today for more information about sleep apnea or other conditions we treat. Call the office or request an appointment online.