Sleep Apnea Specialist

What is sleep apnea?

Sleep apnea is a group of sleep disorders that cause you to stop and start breathing multiple times throughout the night. 

There are several types of sleep apnea, including:

Obstructive sleep apnea

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) causes the soft tissues at the back of your throat to loosen during sleep. Ultimately, this blocks airflow, causing you to wake up gasping for air.

Central sleep apnea

Central sleep apnea occurs when your brain doesn’t send signals to the muscles responsible for your breathing.

Complex sleep apnea

Complex sleep apnea features aspects of obstructive and central sleep apnea. It’s rare but potentially life-threatening.

What are the symptoms of sleep apnea?

Symptoms of sleep apnea include:

• Loud snoring
• Gasping for air 
• Morning headache
• Waking up with a dry mouth
• Irritability
• Difficulty paying attention or focusing

If you have sleep apnea, you might also experience periods of insomnia (difficulty falling asleep).

Who is at risk of sleep apnea?

Anyone can experience sleep apnea, but several factors may increase your risk, including:

• Being overweight or obese
• Smoking
• Having a narrowed airway
• Nasal congestion
• Using alcohol or sedatives

You’re also more likely to experience sleep apnea if you have an underlying health problem like high blood pressure, congestive heart failure, or Type 2 diabetes.

When should I see a weight loss doctor about sleep apnea?

Make an appointment at Advanced Surgeons if you’re overweight or obese and regularly wake up feeling tired or irritable. 

When you’re overweight, fat deposits in the upper respiratory tract can narrow your airways, making it difficult to breathe. In addition, excess weight affects muscle activity in the region, reducing adequate airflow.

How is sleep apnea diagnosed?

To diagnose sleep apnea, your Advanced Surgeons provider reviews your medical history and asks about your symptoms. Then, they refer you to a local sleep center for an overnight sleep study or they provide you with the necessary equipment to do a home sleep test.

Sleep tests and overnight sleep studies monitor your heart rate, airflow, and breathing patterns during sleep. They provide a safe and effective way to officially diagnose all three types of sleep apnea.

How is sleep apnea treated?

At Advanced Surgeons, treatment for sleep apnea focuses on helping you lose weight. By maintaining a healthy weight, you’re much less likely to experience breathing issues. 

Depending on the severity of your symptoms, your provider might recommend:

• Sleeve gastrectomy
• Weight loss
• Weight loss medications
• Diet plans
• Gastric sleeve
• Gastric bypass
• Roux-en-Y gastric bypass surgery
• The Obalon® Balloon (gastric balloon procedure)
• Biliopancreatic diversion 
• Duodenal switch
• Laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding 

If you have severe or life-threatening sleep apnea, you might benefit from a tracheostomy. This type of surgery involves your provider creating a new airway.

To explore the various treatment options for sleep apnea and obesity, make an appointment at Advanced Surgeons by calling the nearest office or clicking the online booking feature today.