Sleep Apnea:

Sleep apnea is a condition in which breathing repeatedly stops and starts during sleep. This is a potentially serious problem which requires evaluation and treatment. Sleep apnea is frequently associated with snoring. However, not everyone who snores has apnea and not everyone who has apnea snores. Symptoms frequently associated with sleep apnea including snoring, daytime sleepiness, morning headaches, difficulty concentrating, mood swings and depression, dry throat upon awakening and frequent urination at night. Sleep apnea causes significant drops in oxygen which trigger release of stress hormones. This, in turn, may raise heart rate and blood pressure. Over time, this may increase the risk for hypertension, heart attack, stroke and irregular heart rhythms. The risk of worsening heart failure, diabetes and obesity are also increased. Therefore, untreated sleep apnea is a potentially dangerous problem. Testing for sleep apnea is ideally done in a sleep lab where the patient can be monitored. However, sleep testing may be done at home as well.

The best treatment for sleep apnea is continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy. A device that fits in the mouth and moves the jaw forward, known as a mandibular advancement device, is sometimes helpful for mild apnea patients who do not tolerate CPAP. Surgeries which tighten the soft palate may decrease snoring, but do not effectively treat apnea.