How an ENT Specialist Can Help Diagnose and Treat Sleep Apnea

Occasional snoring is normal, but if you are snoring deeply and loudly most nights, you could have a common condition known as sleep apnea. Your ENT specialist, the highly experienced Dr. Siva Elangovan at Resolve ENT in Chicago, IL, offers comprehensive ENT services, including diagnosis and treatment of sleep apnea.

What You Need To Know About Sleep Apnea

Sleep apnea is caused by the tissue at the back of your throat periodically relaxing while you sleep. The relaxed tissue can block your airway wholly or partially, impairing airflow and decreasing oxygen intake. When oxygen levels decrease, it can lead to severe medical conditions, including:

• A stroke
• Heart disease
• Diabetes
• Memory issues

You may have sleep apnea if you are:

• Snoring loudly and frequently
• Waking up with a gasping or choking feeling
• Having frequent headaches or sore throats
• Experiencing daytime grogginess and difficulty concentrating

If you notice any of the signs and symptoms listed above, it's crucial to seek out the expertise of an ENT specialist. Your ENT specialist may recommend a sleep study to determine if you have sleep apnea. Sleep studies may be done in a facility, or you may wear a monitor at home, or both.

If your ENT doctor diagnoses sleep apnea, your ENT doctor may recommend:

Having you wear a CPAP, which is a device that provides a continuous flow of oxygen while you sleep. The device is hooked up to a mask you wear while sleeping.

Improve your ability to breathe through the nose. This can be achieved with medical treatment and/or in-office, minimally invasive procedures.

Having you wear an oral mandibular advancement appliance, which is a small, portable dental appliance you wear while sleeping. The device holds your lower jaw forward, maintaining an open airway while you sleep.

Want To Know More About Sleep Apnea?

To learn more about sleep apnea's signs, symptoms, and treatment, call Dr. Siva Elangovan at Resolve ENT in Chicago, IL. You can reach him in the office by calling (773) 828-3001, so call today.