New Technology Offers Hope for Those with Sleep Apnea

“I don’t drink coffee at night, I get eight hours of sleep, and I go to bed at the same time every night, so why am I still waking up tired and groggy?” If you’ve ever found yourself saying this, the problem is likely not with the quantity of sleep you’re getting, but with the quality. If you’re feeling exhausted during the day or snore loudly at night, you may be one of the 22 million people who suffers from sleep apnea.

What is Sleep Apnea?

Sleep apnea is a sleep disorder that causes people to repeatedly stop breathing in the middle of the night.

What Are the Risks of Untreated Sleep Apnea?

Sleep apnea leads to a number of different health concerns. In addition to feeling fatigued and irritable during the day, sleep apnea can be a serious medical problem. Typically, patients with sleep apnea stop breathing for a second or two while in REM sleep, then breathe in heavily once their body realizes they have stopped breathing (which is what often causes snoring). If you leave sleep apnea untreated long enough, it can progress so that you stop breathing for longer periods of time. It can also increase your risk of having high blood pressure, a heart attack, and a stroke.

Lifestyle Changes to Help Treat Sleep Apnea

• If your sleep apnea is less severe, lifestyle changes can help. Sleep apnea is one of the most common sleep disorders for people who are overweight, so losing weight can help put less pressure on your lungs when you sleep.
• Exercise and a healthy diet can also help reduce or eliminate sleep apnea.
• If you’ve tried all these but still don’t feel any relief, you may need to be placed on a breathing respirator at night or receive corrective surgery to open up your airways.

New Technology to Help Control Sleep Apnea

In 2011, the first ever upper airway stimulating device (an electronic device similar to a pacemaker) was implanted in a 67-year-old man’s chest. The device delivers a mild pulse to a person’s tongue and throat muscles, which keeps air flowing freely throughout the night. Though the mechanism is still in its infancy, it has shown great success for patients who meet the right criteria.

At Florida ENT, we offer state of the art, individualized treatment for those who suffer from sleep apnea. From diagnosis to treatment plan, we can have you breathing easy in no time. To learn more about sleep apnea or the services we provide, give us a call today at (877) EAR-NOSE.