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About Sleep Apnea
Sleep apnea is more than just loud snoring and daytime fatigue—it’s a serious condition that can lead to complications like high blood pressure, weight gain, and irregular heartbeat if left untreated. At Dr. Paul Lapco, ENT, in Pompano Beach, Florida, you’ll receive expert care for sleep apnea. Paul Lapco, MD, starts with a thorough sleep study and develops a personalized treatment plan to resolve your sleep apnea, restore restful sleep, and reduce health risks. For a sleep apnea evaluation in Broward County, call the office or schedule an appointment online today.
Sleep Apnea Q&A
What Causes Sleep Apnea?
Sleep apnea is a serious condition that causes repeated interruptions in your breathing during sleep. These episodes can occur hundreds of times per night, with each pause lasting at least 10 seconds.
When you sleep, the soft tissues and muscles in your mouth and throat relax. This relaxation causes the tissues to collapse toward the back of your throat, partially or completely obstructing your airway.
A partially blocked airway results in snoring as air vibrates through the tissues. A completely blocked airway stops breathing altogether.
When your blood oxygen levels drop, your brain briefly wakes you to restore breathing. These interruptions are so subtle that you often don’t realize they’ve occurred, even though they disturb your sleep cycle.
What Symptoms Indicate Sleep Apnea?
The most common symptom of sleep apnea is loud snoring. While not everyone who snores has sleep apnea, everyone with sleep apnea snores.
Other symptoms include:
- Excessive daytime fatigue
- Frequent nighttime urination
- Morning headaches
- Difficulty concentrating
- Memory loss
- Mood changes
Many people are unaware they snore, often learning about it from a partner or household member.
What Other Conditions Cause Snoring?
Snoring unrelated to sleep apnea can result from several factors, including:
- Blocked nasal passages
- Deviated septum
- Sleep position
- Weak throat muscles
- Obesity
- Alcohol use
Even without sleep apnea, snoring can disrupt sleep quality and lead to similar symptoms, depending on its severity.
How Is Sleep Apnea Diagnosed?
Dr. Lapco diagnoses sleep apnea through an overnight sleep study. Most patients can complete this study at home. However, if you have certain health conditions, such as heart disease, or if another sleep disorder is suspected, Dr. Lapco may recommend an in-clinic sleep study.
An in-clinic study provides more detailed data, monitoring heart activity, brain waves, and movements of the eyes, arms, and legs.
How Is Sleep Apnea Treated?
For mild sleep apnea, weight loss can sometimes resolve the issue. The most common treatment, however, is continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP). With CPAP, you wear a mask that delivers a steady stream of pressurized air to keep your airway open.
For patients who prefer an alternative to CPAP, a custom-fitted oral appliance is available. This device repositions the lower jaw to prevent the tongue from blocking the airway.
In some cases, surgery may be necessary to treat sleep apnea. Dr. Lapco offers several surgical options, including procedures to remove excess throat tissue, reduce nasal turbinate size, or stiffen the soft palate.
If you’re experiencing daytime fatigue, suspect sleep apnea, or want to stop snoring, call Dr. Paul Lapco, ENT, or book an appointment online today.