Sleep Apnea

Sleep apnea is a common but serious breathing disorder that causes repeated, brief interruptions of breathing during sleep. 

With sleep apnea, you have involuntary breathing pauses or "apneic events" – sometimes as many as 20 to 30 or more an hour. These events are usually accompanied by snoring between apnea episodes. There are two types of sleep apnea:

• Obstructive sleep apnea – this most common form of sleep apnea occurs muscles in the throat relax during sleep, blocking airflow even though you’re trying to breathe
• Central sleep apnea – occurs when the brain fails to send the appropriate signals to the muscles to start breathing. 

Sleep apnea far more common than once thought, affecting millions of Americans of all ages and both genders, although it is more common in men. 

What Happens During Sleep Apnea?

Each time breathing stops, oxygen levels drop and carbon dioxide builds up in the blood. This alerts the brain to resume breathing, often triggering a sudden arousal from sleep with a loud snort or gasp. These frequent awakening prevent restorative, deep sleep and may contribute to serious health issues if left untreated, including:

• Irregular heartbeat
• High blood pressure
• Heart attack
• Stroke
• Daytime sleepiness
• Increased risk of motor vehicle accidents
   

Causes and Risk Factors 

You may be at higher risk of sleep apnea if you:

• Snore loudly
• Are overweight
• Have high blood pressure
• Have some physical abnormality in the nose, throat, or other parts of the upper airway
• Have a family history of sleep apnea
• Drink alcohol or take sleeping pills

Symptoms of Sleep Apnea

The frequent breaks in deep, restorative sleep caused by sleep apnea often lead to:

• Headaches
• Excessive daytime sleepiness
• Dry mouth and throat
• Sore throat
• Problems paying attention
• Irritability
• Depression
• Mood swings
• Weight gain

Diagnosis and Evaluation

Diagnosing sleep apnea is not simple because there can be many different causes. Primary healthcare providers, pulmonologists, otolaryngologists (ear, nose, and throat specialists), neurologists, or other healthcare providers with specialty training in sleep disorders may be involved in making a diagnosis and recommending treatment.

Several tests are available for evaluating sleep apnea, including:

• Polysomnography: An overnight sleep study that monitors brain activity, breathing, heart rate, and oxygen levels
• Multiple Sleep Latency Test (MSLT): Measures how quickly you fall asleep – falling asleep in less than 5 minutes rather than the usual 10-20 minutes may indicate a sleep disorder

Diagnostic tests are usually performed in a sleep center, thought home-based studies may be available in some cases.

Treatment Options

Treatment depends on the cause and severity of your sleep apnea as well as your age and overall health. No medications have been shown to be effective in treating sleep apnea.  Effective treatment options may include:

Lifestyle and Behavioral Changes

• Avoid alcohol, tobacco, and sleeping pills
• Lose weight if overweight (even a 10% reduction can help)
• Use pillows or other devices to help sleep on your side instead of your back

Devices

• Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) –a mask worn over the nose during sleep that delivers air pressure to keep your airway open
• Dental appliances that reposition the lower jaw and the tongue to improve airflow (helpful in mild cases) 

Surgery

• Removal of adenoids and tonsils, nasal polyps, or other growths or tissue in the airway, or to correct structural deformities
• Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UPPP) to remove excess tissue at the back of the throat (tonsils, uvula, and part of the soft palate)
• Surgical reconstruction of deformities of the lower jaw
• Bariatric (weight loss) surgery in some cases involving obesity

Why Choose Cooper to Treat Sleep Apnea

At Cooper University Health Care, you have access to a multidisciplinary team of experts who specialize in the diagnosis and treatment of sleep disorders. Patients trust us for our:

• Comprehensive evaluation: Our state-of-the-art sleep labs offer advanced diagnostic tools to pinpoint the cause of your sleep apnea.
• Expert care team: You’ll benefit from the expertise of sleep medicine physicians, ENT specialists, pulmonologists, and surgeons—all working together to tailor your treatment.
• Coordinated approach: Whether your treatment plan involves a CPAP device, surgical intervention, or lifestyle counseling, our team provides personalized, collaborative care every step of the way.