Understanding Sleep Apnea: Types, Symptoms, and Diagnosis

If you or a loved one suffers from sleep apnea and snoring, the team at Southern Crescent ENT of Stockbridge, GA, and Fayetteville, GA, is here to help you find relief and achieve the sleep you deserve.

Guide To Sleep Apnea

Sleep apnea is categorized as a breathing-related sleep disorder, which is why sleep apnea and snoring often go hand in hand. Below, the team at Southern Crescent ENT of Stockbridge, GA, and Fayetteville, GA dive deeper into this sleep disorder, its symptoms, and how it’s diagnosed.

Types of Sleep Apnea

Sleep apnea occurs when the sufferer’s breathing pauses or is reduced while sleeping. There are three types of sleep apnea, which have different causes.

• OSA: Obstructive sleep apnea is caused by the throat becoming blocked during sleep. This happens because the throat muscles relax and the tongue and other soft tissues fall.
• CSA: Central sleep apnea occurs when the brain and muscles don’t communicate properly, which leads to more shallow breathing or a temporary halt in breathing.
• Complex sleep apnea: A more recent discovery is that of complex sleep apnea, which is a combination of OSA and CSA. Unfortunately, it is still being researched and the specific cause and risk factors aren’t fully understood.

Symptoms of Sleep Apnea

The symptoms of each type of sleep apnea overlap to some degree, and they can indicate other medical issues. In addition to snoring, it’s important to seek professional help for a proper diagnosis if you or your partner notice any of the following signs:

• You are very sleepy during the day, regardless of how long you think you slept.
• You have a hard time focusing.
• You wake up with headaches or dry mouth.
• You have shortness of breath or chest pains during the night, or your partner notices abnormal breathing.
• Your sleep isn’t restful, and you might wake up several times throughout the night.
• You are irritable during the day or easily frustrated.

How It’s Diagnosed

A diagnosis usually begins with discussing your symptoms and health history, along with a physical examination. If sleep apnea is suspected, a sleep study can be conducted. Generally, a sleep study is completed at a clinic, but in some cases, an at-home study may be performed.

During the study, your brain, breathing, heart, and more are monitored and recorded for an understanding of how your body operates while you sleep. This information can then be used to confirm or rule out a sleep apnea diagnosis.

Find relief from sleep apnea and snoring with the help of the team at Southern Crescent ENT of Stockbridge, GA, and Fayetteville, GA. Call in Stockbridge, GA, by calling us at (770) 474-7416 or (678) 817-4390 for our Fayetteville, GA, location to schedule an appointment today.