Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a common condition that affects about one in four adults. It occurs when the airway narrows or becomes blocked during sleep, preventing airflow even as the body continues to try to breathe. These pauses in breathing lower oxygen levels, which trigger the brain to wake you just enough to reopen the airway.
Although these brief awakenings prevent suffocation, they also disrupt your sleep cycle, making it difficult to get deep, restorative rest. Many people with OSA feel tired or unfocused during the day, even after spending the whole night in bed. Globally, more than 1 billion adults aged 30-69 are estimated to have OSA.
Untreated sleep apnea can lead to serious health issues, including high blood pressure, heart disease, irregular heart rhythms, and poor daytime concentration.
Treatment Options
CPAP and APAP Therapy
Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) or Automatic Positive Airway Pressure (APAP) devices deliver a steady stream of air through a mask while you sleep. The air pressure keeps your upper airway open, preventing snoring and breathing interruptions.
With several mask styles available (including nasal pillows, nasal masks, and full-face masks), patients can find a comfortable, effective fit. Many people experience dramatic improvements in their daytime energy and sleep quality with CPAP therapy.
Custom Oral Appliances
For patients with mild to moderate OSA, oral appliance therapy can be a convenient and effective alternative. These devices reposition the jaw or tongue to keep the airway open during sleep. They are custom-fitted in collaboration with a dental professional and adjusted as needed to ensure optimal results and comfort.
Lifestyle and Home Strategies
Certain lifestyle changes can significantly improve or even resolve mild cases of OSA. Maintain a healthy weight. Even a small weight loss can reduce airway narrowing. Sleep on your side. Avoid sleeping on your back, as this can cause the tongue and soft palate to fall backward and obstruct breathing.
Address nasal congestion: Using a saline rinse or an over-the-counter nasal steroid spray (such as Nasonex, Nasacort, or Rhinocort) before bedtime can improve nighttime airflow.
Your ENT specialist at ENTOne can help identify and treat nasal blockages or other anatomical issues contributing to airway narrowing.
Surgical Treatments
When CPAP, oral appliances, or lifestyle changes aren’t enough, ENT surgeons at ENTOne offer advanced surgical options to improve airflow and address the structural causes of OSA:
- Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UPPP): Removes excess tissue from the back of the throat to expand the airway.
- Tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy: Eliminates enlarged tonsils or adenoids that may block the airway.
- Septoplasty: Straightens a deviated nasal septum to improve breathing and enhance CPAP comfort.
- Jaw advancement surgery: Moves the jaws forward to create more space behind the tongue and soft palate, reducing airway obstruction.
Our ENT team at ENTOne specializes in identifying the underlying cause of your sleep apnea and personalizing treatment to your needs.
Take the Next Step Toward Better Sleep: If you or a loved one experiences loud snoring, pauses in breathing during sleep, or persistent daytime fatigue, it’s time to schedule a consultation with ENTOne. With advanced diagnostic tools and a full range of medical and surgical treatment options, our clinic can help restore restful sleep and protect your long-term health.
