Obstructive Sleep Apnea
The impact of Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) is profound, regardless of its severity. Patients with OSA suffer from restricted oxygen levels in the brain and body during sleep, compromising sleep quality and affecting daily performance, mood, and overall quality of life. Even individuals with mild OSA, often characterized by snoring, can disrupt the sleep of those around them.
For patients with more severe forms of OSA, the breath cessation durations can be potentially life-threatening. OSA has also been linked to the following medical conditions:
- Hypertension
- Heart failure
- Stroke
- Motor vehicle accidents (caused by impaired cognitive function and excessive sleepiness)
- Drowsiness
- Depression
- Cardiac arrhythmia
- Diabetes
- Obesity
- Memory loss and difficulty concentrating
Because OSA impacts sleep, it can have drastic impacts on the lives and overall health of those affected. The biggest issue with OSA is that the majority of people with the condition don’t even realize they have it.
How Common is Obstructive Sleep Apnea?
Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) is more prevalent than many people realize. Here are a few interesting, and potentially alarming, statistics regarding OSA:
- 24% of men and 9% of women have the condition
- Estimates suggest that 93% of women and 82% of men with OSA are undiagnosed
- OSA can affect people of all ages
How Do I Know if I am Suffering from Obstructive Sleep Apnea?
Diagnosing OSA is difficult, especially if you live or sleep alone. If you have a partner who can observe your sleep, they may notice periods when you stop breathing or snore excessively, which are common signs of sleep apnea.
If you’re experiencing one or more of the following, it is worth consulting with a sleep specialist to get a proper diagnosis:
- Sleepiness
- Fatigue
- Poor concentration
- Memory problems
- Mood swings
- Fatigue
- Morning headaches
- Morning dry mouth
- Morning sore throat
- Low libido
- Frequent urination at night
- Nasal obstruction
If you suspect you have obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), SoCal Breathe Free can assist you in identifying the underlying cause. Our providers will likely suggest a home sleep study, employing various portable devices like WatchPAT®, Sleep Image®, or Night Owl®. During sleep, these at-home tests track your breathing, oxygen levels, body position, sleep stages, snoring intensity, and other factors, offering a comprehensive overview of your nighttime activity. Based on the test results, various treatment options are available.
OSA Treatment Options
There are various approaches to treating OSA, and treatment often requires a multifaceted approach; our physicians may treat OSA with minimally invasive procedures, surgery, and home testing devices before and after treatment.
Continuous positive air pressure (CPAP) treatment is always an option for those with OSA. However, many sleep apnea patients find the machine cumbersome and uncomfortable, which can result in decreased sleep quality. If your CPAP treatment is currently more of a burden than a benefit, consider one of the following:
- Oral Appliance Therapy: For oral appliance therapy, a customized mouth guard sits in your mouth during sleep, which keeps the lower jaw forward and holds the airway open.
- eXcite OSA: eXcite OSA is a revolutionary oral device that helps individuals suffering from snoring and mild OSA. This innovative device leverages neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) to strengthen and tone the muscles of the tongue and upper airway, effectively reducing the incidence of airway collapse during sleep. Unlike traditional continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machines, eXcite OSA offers a non-invasive, comfortable, and discreet solution, helping patients experience a good night’s sleep without the inconvenience of bulky masks or noisy equipment.eXcite OSA is a daytime therapy strategy that can help as a stand-alone modality, or complement the efficacy of nighttime treatment strategies, such as oral appliances. It can also work as an adjunct to procedures performed for snoring and obstructive sleep apnea. It is non-invasive, self-administered, and easy to use.
- Inspire Hypoglossal Nerve Stimulation: Inspire therapy is a mask-free solution for people with obstructive sleep apnea who have not had success with CPAP.The Inspire device is surgically implanted beneath your clavicle and uses electrical impulses to stimulate the hypoglossal nerve. Stimulation of this nerve moves the tongue and throat muscles into a position that helps open the airway and keeps it from collapsing.
You can control your implant via an app.
- Minimally-invasive surgery: Minimally-invasive surgery is a treatment option alternative for patients with OSA, such as AIRLIFT hyoid suspension. This procedure can permanently restructure the tissues around the airway to improve better airflow, breathing, and sleep quality.
What Can I Expect Over the Course of My OSA Treatment?
The most important step in treating sleep apnea is the first one: a proper diagnosis. Our physicians offer personalized consultations in order to create the most precise and tailored treatment possible. The latest, cutting-edge sleep monitoring devices (WatchPAT, Sleep Image, NightOwl) can be used to test your sleep at home; in some cases, you may be referred to a sleep testing facility. Either way, your diagnosis will be obtained accurately and efficiently so treatment can be incorporated immediately. Our dedicated team will follow up to ensure treatment is successful and monitor your progress.
Relief From OSA at SoCal Breathe Free
Finding relief from obstructive sleep apnea is crucial for improving sleep quality and overall health. If you or your partner suffer from snoring, low-quality sleep, or feelings of unrest despite sleeping for an adequate amount of time, then you may be experiencing obstructive sleep apnea. In most cases, obstructive sleep apnea is the underlying cause of your disrupted sleep. Here at SoCal Breathe Free, we want you to live your very best (and most rested) life! Let us guide you on your OSA treatment journey.