FAQs

This sleeping disorder is divided into two main types: obstructive and central sleep apnea. Both occur when breathing becomes very shallow or stops for short durations while sleeping, and can occur hundreds of times throughout a single sleep cycle.

There are many symptoms of sleep apnea that are easily recognizable to the sufferer. These include loud, chronic snoring, waking up choking or out of breath, restless sleep cycles, early morning headaches, daily fatigue, and difficulty falling or staying asleep.

Depression, blood pressure, or GERD medications and being clinically overweight may also contribute to the development of a sleep apnea disorder.

Sleep apnea can disrupt a patient’s deep sleep cycle, causing persistent sleep deprivation. Not only can this make a person feel tired and fatigued throughout the day, but it can also lead to an increased risk for high blood pressure, depression, headaches, ADHD symptoms, diabetes, stroke, and heart failure.

Unless a patient is suffering from sinus or nasal congestion, snoring is a symptom of obstructed airways. Collapsed tissues in the back of the throat can vibrate as air passes through. Common causes are large tonsils, sleeping position, alcohol consumption, excess weight around the neck, and sleeping pills or muscle relaxers.

Snoring can also be a sign of sleep disorders, UARS (upper airway resistance syndrome) and OSA (obstructive sleep apnea). These disorders cause sleep deprivation and lead to an increased risk of headaches, migraines, heartburn, and acid reflux, as well as high blood pressure, cardiovascular disease, heart attack, stroke, and type 2 diabetes.

At-home solutions for snoring include regular exercise, weight loss, and avoiding sleeping pills, alcohol, and sedatives before going to bed. If these recommendations fail to resolve the problem, you should speak to a local sleep specialist about a possible apnea diagnosis and learn more about your treatment options.

Sleep apnea is often treated through sleep hygiene regimens, such as getting moderate exercise or limiting caffeine, alcohol, and food consumption late in the day. Breathe Right® strips and similar products can also ease sleep apnea symptoms along with CPAP machines or fitted oral appliances.

Surgical options are also available depending on the patient. Maxillomandibular advancement surgery, or MMA surgery, tightens the soft palate and enlarges the upper airways by pulling the upper and lower jaws forward. ENT surgeons can perform soft palate surgery, or Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UPPP). These treatments are recommended only if the throat or mouth has severe physical obstructions.

Obstructive sleep apnea occurs when a patient’s throat muscles relax and obstruct airflow, interrupting the natural breathing cycle.

More uncommon than obstructive sleep apnea, this type of disorder is also more dangerous. Central sleep apnea is a condition in which the patient’s muscles do not receive the signals that monitor breathing movement.

Oral appliance therapy treats sleep apnea through fitted appliances that reposition the mouth to increase airflow. The most common appliance is a mandibular repositioning device or MRD. These appliances move the jaw into a forward position, lifting the palate and increasing the space located behind the tongue.

To fit the needs of all of our patients at Lone Star Sleep Solutions, we offer a variety of other appliances, including ResMed Narval CC™, TAP® 3, SUAD™, and SomnoDent® Flex.