Sleep Apnea Treatment | OSA

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a sleep disorder that occurs when the soft tissue in the back of the throat collapses and blocks the airway during sleep. The tongue then becomes stuck against the back of the throat and blocks the airway. This causes the blood-oxygen level to drop low enough that the brain signals the body to wake up and gasp for breath. This happens so quickly that the sleeper usually does not remember it. In a given night, the number of involuntary pauses in breathing or "apneic events" may be as high as 30 or more per hour. These breathing pauses are usually accompanied by snoring between apnea episodes, although not everyone who snores has this condition. With snoring caused by OSA, the person appears to catch their breath or gasp. Thus they will periodically make a choking, snorting or gasping sound when the airway reopens. Sleep apnea can have a significant impact on quality of life and can even lead to death if left untreated.

As a result, it is important to seek treatment for sleep apnea as soon as possible. The first step is a thorough evaluation to determine the specific cause of the snoring or apnea. Through the use of advanced imaging and other diagnostic techniques, Dr. Gupta and the team at California Face Institute can determine the best course of treatment. In some cases, sleep apnea can be treated with lifestyle changes, such as losing weight or sleeping on your side. In more severe cases, surgery may be necessary to remove obstructions from the airway. Regardless of the treatment method, it is important to get sleep apnea under control to improve your overall health and quality of life.

If you think you may have sleep apnea, please contact California Face Institute at (951) 422-2909 for a consultation with Dr. Amar Gupta who will provide an initial evaluation, diagnosis and treatment plan.