Diagnosing and Treating Sleep Apnea in Novato

Sleep apnea is one of several sleep disorders Novato. It's a condition that occurs when soft tissue blocks a person’s airways, preventing them from breathing while they sleep. It can also happen when the muscles the respiratory system doesn’t receive orders from the brain to breathe. Countless Americans are unaware that they have sleep apnea. Sleep apnea is essentially a pause in breathing while a person sleeps. This pause can happen many times causing the person to get insufficient sleep and oxygen. Various factors can cause a person to experience sleep apnea. These include: Carrying too much body weight Having medical problems, such as asthma or sinus issues Having a family history of the condition Getting older

How is it Diagnosed? A person’s medical history, family history and a physical exam might give doctors clues that the person has sleep apnea. Frequent snoring might also be a sign of sleep apnea. Also, doctors might discover sleep apnea in people who participate in sleep studies. Sleep diaries For people who think they might have sleep apnea, a sleep diary might help doctors determine if this is the case. Keeping a sleep diary involves tracking sleep and nap times and recording whether the person feels rested upon waking.

Polysonogram Doctors often use a polysonogram to diagnose sleep apnea. It’s a study of a person’s brain activity, eye movements and heart rate. The study also measures the person’s blood pressure and records how much oxygen is in the person’s blood flow. Technicians place sensors on various areas of the person’s body, including their fingers, head, face and scalp. The sensors help record the person’s activities as he or she sleeps What Are Some Treatments? Doctors may recommend several treatment options for people with sleep apnea. These include various devices and surgeries.

Devices Devices to treat sleep apnea include airway pressure devices and oral appliances. Airway pressure devices are snug masks that the patient wears while sleeping. These masks give the person continuous pressurized air, and prevents the their airways from becoming blocked. Oral appliances look like mouth guards. These devices keep the person’s jaws in a forward position, and thus keep the airway open. Surgery Surgery might be an option for people with sleep apnea Novato. Procedures might involve removing excess tissue that might be blocking the airway, removing the tonsils or adenoids, or inserting a tube through the person’s neck to the windpipe. Whatever procedure is used, it’s often the last resort. Doctors often recommend surgery only if all else has failed.