What is sleep apnea?

Sleep apnea is a disorder where you stop breathing for a short time while sleeping. The pauses disrupt your slumber, because they pull you out of deep sleep cycles. Many men, women, and children still feel tired in the morning because of these disruptions.

What causes sleep apnea?

Everyone’s airway muscles naturally relax during sleep. If you have obstructive sleep apnea, those muscles relax to the point where your airway collapses during sleep. Snoring is one of the most common symptoms of obstructive sleep apnea, as air attempts to squeeze past the obstruction.

When you have central sleep apnea, the brain actually interferes with the signals that tell your body to breathe, so your breathing pauses. Snoring is less common with this form of sleep apnea.

How do you diagnose sleep apnea?

After Dr. Vazquez investigates your concerns and provides a thorough examination of your nose, throat, palate, and neck, he may recommend a sleep study. An accurate sleep apnea diagnosis requires a sleep study.

Dr. Vazquez offers two types of sleep studies: a polysomnogram and a home-based portable monitor.

Polysomnogram

During a polysomnogram, you sleep in a specialized sleep lab where a technician monitors your oxygen levels, brain activity, and breathing patterns through the attached sensors. After reading the results from your sleep study, Dr. Vazquez determines whether you exhibit signs of sleep apnea.

iHome-based portal monitor

For this test, you sleep in your normal environment while hooked up to the portable monitor. The device tracks your oxygen levels, heart rate, and breathing effort. Dr. Vazquez uses the results to make a diagnosis or to verify the need for a full polysomnogram.

What treatment options do you offer for sleep apnea?

Dr. Vazquez offers several surgical and non-surgical treatments for sleep apnea.

Non-surgical

For mild sleep apnea, a few lifestyle adjustments may treat your condition. Lying on your side, losing weight, and wearing a mouthpiece can help you breathe better while you sleep.

Severe cases of sleep apnea may require you to use a CPAP machine, which keeps your airways open during sleep.

Surgical

When the excess tissue in your mouth or throat obstructs your airway, you may benefit from surgery to open those air passages. Children with enlarged tonsils may need them removed to improve their breathing.

If you snore or suspect you have sleep apnea, contact Dr. Vazquez for an appointment .