When Dr. Gergits suspects you have sleep apnea, he orders a sleep study, which is the only way to diagnose the problem.
During a sleep study, you wear sensors that measure your breathing, air flow, and oxygen levels while you sleep. This information shows whether you stop breathing and how often.
Once Dr. Gergits knows the severity of your sleep apnea, he can recommend customized treatment. Underlying conditions such as polyps or enlarged tonsils are treated first.
Patients who are overweight and have mild sleep apnea may stop their apnea by losing weight. Otherwise, sleep apnea is treated with:
Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP)
CPAP is the preferred treatment for moderate-to-severe sleep apnea. This device keeps your airway open by delivering constant air pressure through a mask.
Oral appliance
This is a custom-fitted device that’s like a mouthguard. When you wear it at night, it holds your jaw and tongue slightly forward, which prevents your tongue from covering the airway.
Untreated sleep apnea causes serious problems such as high blood pressure and heart arrhythmias, so don’t wait to schedule an appointment if you suspect you have the condition. Call Sinus & Allergy Wellness Center or book an appointment online.