Do you or your child snore? Are you still tired after a good night's rest? Do you often wake gasping for air or coughing? If so, you may have sleep apnea.

Sleep apnea, also known as Obstructive Sleep Apnea (or OSA), is a potentially life-threatening condition that repeatedly causes breathing to stop and start throughout your sleep cycle.

Sleep apnea affects over 30 million Americans, and millions are prediposed to developing sleep apnea due to risk factors. ENT Carolina can help.

Are you worried that you or your child might have sleep apnea?

Schedule an Appointment
(704) 868-8400

Sleep Apnea Explained

During normal sleep, your throat muscles relax. If your throat is crowded due to obesity or other physicial attributes, your airway can collapse during sleep and block your airflow. When airflow stops, your bloood oxygen levels drop, which cause your brain to wake up.

When you have sleep apnea, this cycle may continue throughout the night while you have no idea it is happening!

Symptoms and Warning Signs

Common sleep apnea warning signs:

  • Loud snoring
  • Restless sleep
  • Waking up to choking or gasping
  • Fatigue, tiredness or moodiness during the day
  • Difficulty concentrating at work or school
  • Hyperactivity or bedwetting in children

Risk Factors

Some people are more prone to sleep apnea due to physiological or medical issues. These include:

  • Obesity
  • A small jaw, with a thick neck
  • Long soft palate and uvula
  • Enlarged tonsils or adenoids
  • High blood pressure

Complications

Left undiagnosed, severe sleep apnea can increase your risk of the following medical conditions:

  • Irregular heartbeat
  • High blood pressure
  • Diabetes
  • Heart attack, stroke or cardiac arrest during sleep
  • Slow growth and/or learning deficits in children

Diagnosis

For pediatric patients, the diagnosis of sleep-disordered breathing is made by taking a thorough medical history and physical examination.

For most adults and some pediatric cases, a sleep study can provide accurate measurements and provide the degree of apnea.

A polysomnograpgy sleep study measures your heart rate, brain waves, chest movement, airflow, and oxygen levels while you sleep, as well as eye and leg movements.

Non-surgical Treatments for Sleep Apnea

  • Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP)
  • Lifestyle Changes
  • Tongue Base Reduction
  • Oral Appliance

Surgical Treatments for Sleep Apnea

In cases when non-invasive treatments fail, a surgical solution might be necessary.

  • Nasal Surgery (alleviate blockage)
  • Tonsillectomy and Adenoidectomy
  • Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UPPP)
  • Tracheostomy, in extreme cases