Sleep Apnea
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Comprehensive Ear Nose Throat
N.X. Nguyen, M.D.
Otolaryngology & Allergist located in Huntington Beach, CA
If your partner complains about your loud snoring or has noticed a lapse in your breathing during the night, you may have a condition known as sleep apnea. At Comprehensive Ear Nose Throat in Huntington Beach, California, Nghia Nguyen, MD offers in-office sleep evaluations to determine if an obstruction is interfering with your nighttime breathing. He also provides several treatment options to help end snoring for good. Schedule a consultation online or by phone to learn more about treating your sleep apnea.
Sleep Apnea Q & A
What is sleep apnea?
Sleep apnea is a condition where you temporarily stop breathing during sleep. As a result, you may snore loudly, be unable to get a good night’s rest, and frequently feel tired.
There are three main types of sleep apnea:
- Obstructive: occurs when the muscles of your throat relax during sleep
- Central: occurs due to dysfunction in your muscles when your brain doesn’t send the correct signals
- Complex: a combination of both obstructive and central sleep apnea
If left untreated, sleep apnea can cause long-term health issues and even become life-threatening.
What are the common symptoms of sleep apnea?
Because most of the symptoms occur while you’re asleep, you may not even realize you have sleep apnea. Your spouse or partner, however, may complain about your loud snoring or notice your breathing interruptions.
In addition to the breathing and snoring issues, you may also experience:
- Insomnia
- Irritability
- Dry mouth
- Morning headaches
- Difficulty paying attention
Untreated sleep apnea can result in medical complications, including heart issues and high blood pressure. You may also be at increased risk for developing type 2 diabetes.
How is sleep apnea diagnosed?
Dr. Nguyen reviews your medical history and your symptoms to determine if you have sleep apnea. He may also refer you for additional sleep study testing to better understand the severity of your symptoms.
If you receive a sleep apnea diagnosis, Dr. Nguyen creates a customized treatment plan to address your snoring and breathing issues and prevent further complications.
A flexible laryngoscopy procedure is also available in-office, which allows Dr. Nguyen to view the back of your throat to more precisely determine the cause of a breathing obstruction.
What treatment options are available for sleep apnea?
Dr. Nguyen may recommend mandible appliances, which keep your tongue from falling into the back of your throat during sleep. By preventing this type of obstruction, you can eliminate your snoring habits and ensure you can breathe easily while sleeping.
Depending on the cause of your sleep apnea, Dr. Nguyen may recommend a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) or a biphasic positive airway pressure (BiPap) machine to keep your airways open during sleep.
If appliances aren’t enough to prevent breathing obstructions, Dr. Nguyen may recommend surgery to remove excess tissue that may be causing blockages in your airways.
Call Comprehensive Ear Nose Throat or book an appointment online to learn more about treatments for sleep apnea.
