A Better Sleep Month Guide for Sleep Apnea Treatment
May is Better Sleep Month, a time to focus on how sleep affects your overall health and quality of life. Millions of Americans struggle with poor sleep every night, and one common cause is sleep apnea.
Sleep apnea is more than loud snoring. It is a serious medical condition that repeatedly stops your breathing while you sleep. These breathing pauses can prevent restful sleep, lower oxygen levels, and increase your risk for serious health problems.
However, sleep apnea is easily treatable. CPAP is considered the “Gold Standard” treatment for sleep apnea. For some people, sleep apnea surgery may offer long-term relief when other treatments, like CPAP, are difficult to tolerate.
At Iowa Specialty Hospitals & Clinics, our sleep medicine and ENT specialists help patients find personalized treatment options for better sleep and breathing.
What Is Sleep Apnea?
Sleep apnea is a common sleep disorder that causes your breathing to stop and start repeatedly while you sleep. These pauses may happen dozens or even hundreds of times each night.
Because your brain briefly wakes you up to restart breathing, your body never reaches the deep, restorative sleep it needs.
Types of Sleep Apnea
| Type | Description |
|---|---|
| Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) | The airway becomes blocked during sleep |
| Central Sleep Apnea (CSA) | The brain does not properly signal the breathing muscles |
| Mixed Sleep Apnea | A combination of obstructive and central sleep apnea |
Osbstructive sleep apnea is the most common type.
Signs and Symptoms of Sleep Apnea
Many people do not realize they have sleep apnea until a partner notices symptoms.
- Loud snoring
- Waking up gasping or choking
- Daytime sleepiness or fatigue
- Morning headaches
- Difficulty concentrating
- Mood changes or irritability
- Restless sleep
- Pauses in breathing during sleep
Sleep apnea can affect both adults and children.
Is Sleep Apnea a Serious Condition?
Untreated sleep apnea can increase the risk of major health problems.
Health Risks of Untreated Sleep Apnea
| Potential Complication | Why It Matters |
|---|---|
| High blood pressure | Repeated oxygen drops strain the heart |
| Heart disease | Sleep apnea increases cardiovascular stress |
| Stroke | Poor oxygen levels raise stroke risk |
| Diabetes | Sleep affects blood sugar regulation |
| Arrhythmias | Irregular heart rhythms may develop |
| Daytime exhaustion | Raises accident and injury risk |
Sleep apnea may also affect work performance, memory, mood, and overall quality of life.
What Causes Sleep Apnea?
Obstructive sleep apnea can happen for several reasons.
- Relaxed throat muscles during sleep
- Enlarged tonsils
- Excess tissue around the airway
- A naturally narrow airway
- Tongue position blocking airflow
- Obesity
- Nasal blockage or a deviated septum
Sleep apnea can affect people of any body size.
How Is Sleep Apnea Diagnosed?
A healthcare provider may recommend a sleep study to diagnose sleep apnea.
Sleep Apnea Testing Options
| Test | What It Measures |
|---|---|
| Polysomnogram (Sleep Study) | Brain waves, oxygen levels, breathing, heart rate, and sleep patterns |
| Home Sleep Apnea Test | Breathing and oxygen levels while sleeping at home |
Providers also use a measurement called the Apnea-Hypopnea Index (AHI) to determine the severity of sleep apnea and whether it is mild, moderate, or severe.
Non-Surgical Sleep Apnea Treatment Options
Treatment depends on the type and severity of sleep apnea.
CPAP Therapy
CPAP (Continuous Positive Airway Pressure) is considered the gold standard treatment for obstructive sleep apnea. The machine uses steady airflow to keep the airway open during sleep.
However, some patients struggle with:
- Wearing the mask
- Dry mouth
- Noise
- Claustrophobia
- Poor sleep comfort
Oral Appliances
Custom mouthpieces can help keep the airway open by gently moving the jaw forward.
Lifestyle Changes
Lifestyle improvements may help reduce sleep apnea symptoms:
- Weight loss
- Sleeping on your side
- Quitting smoking
- Limiting alcohol
- Improving sleep habits
When Is Sleep Apnea Surgery Recommended?
Sleep apnea surgery is usually considered when:
- CPAP therapy does not work well
- A patient cannot tolerate CPAP
- Airway anatomy contributes to blockage
- Other treatments have not improved symptoms
Surgery may help improve airflow and reduce breathing interruptions during sleep.
Types of Sleep Apnea Surgery
Different surgeries treat different airway problems.
Nasal Surgery for Sleep Apnea (Septoplasty)
Septoplasty straightens a deviated septum to improve airflow through the nose.
This may help patients:
- Breathe more easily
- Reduce nasal blockage
- Improve CPAP tolerance
Jaw Surgery for Sleep Apnea (Orthognathy)
Jaw surgery repositions the jaw to create more space in the airway.
This surgery is often used for patients with:
- Moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnea
- Structural jaw problems
- Severe airway narrowing
Inspire® Implant for Sleep Apnea
The Inspire® implant is an FDA-approved treatment that helps keep the airway open during sleep using gentle stimulation. Unlike CPAP therapy, Inspire works inside the body and does not require a mask or hose.
This treatment may help patients:
- Reduce breathing interruptions during sleep
- Improve daytime energy and alertness
- Snore less
- Sleep more comfortably without a CPAP mask
Inspire® is often recommended for patients with:
- Moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnea
- Difficulty tolerating CPAP therapy
- Airway blockage caused by tongue position
- Appropriate airway anatomy and BMI requirements
Many patients choose Inspire® because it works without a mask or hose and is designed to support more natural breathing during sleep.
Sleep Better with Iowa Specialty Hospitals & Clinics
At Iowa Specialty Hospitals & Clinics, our sleep medicine and ENT specialists provide advanced sleep apnea care close to home. Our sleep study program is accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Health Care (ACHC), helping ensure high-quality patient care.
Better sleep can improve your energy, heart health, focus, and overall quality of life.
To learn more about sleep apnea treatment or Inspire® therapy, call 641-444-5671 or 515-532-9351, or contact us online to schedule an appointment or sleep evaluation.
