Is Sleep Apnea Curable?

Many people go years without realizing they suffer from sleep apnea, but recognizing the symptoms is the first step to finding a solution. It can take time to diagnose exactly what’s causing your sleep apnea, but the right treatment can help you get some quality sleep. 

SLENT (South Louisiana Ear, Nose, Throat & Facial Plastics) has multiple locations throughout Slidell, Mandeville, and Hammond, Louisiana. Dr. Connolly and our team of expert providers provide several options for treating obstructive sleep apnea. 

An overview of sleep apnea 

There are two types of sleep apnea: central and obstructive. Central sleep apnea is caused by failure of the central nervous system, which controls your breathing, and is relatively rare compared to obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), which is the more common form of this condition. 

With OSA, the muscles at the back of your tongue and throat relax during sleep, collapsing the soft tissue against itself and closing off the airway. This results in automatic startling during the night as your brain realizes it has no air and triggers a convulsive response.

Snoring and choking are two of the most common symptoms of obstructive sleep apnea. Not only do these sleep disturbances interrupt your rest, but they can also cause friction with bed partners or roommates. 

However, the most insidious symptoms manifest over time. Untreated sleep apnea can lead to the following complications: 

• Chronic fatigue and daytime sleepiness 
• Forgetfulness and brain fog 
• Headaches, especially in the morning 
• Poor performance at work or school 
• Depression, anxiety, mood swings, and irritability 
• High blood pressure and heart problems 

An estimated 22 million people suffer from OSA, many of whom are undiagnosed. 

What causes sleep apnea 

Obstructive sleep apnea isn’t always caused by one thing in particular. Instead, there are contributing factors, which can stack up and worsen your condition. Common risk factors for sleep apnea include: 

• Being born male
• Growing older
• Excess weight
• Family history
• Narrow airway
• Enlarged tonsils
• Type 2 diabetes
• Orthodontic problems

Your provider can help you mitigate your risks.

Assessing your condition

Obstructive sleep apnea is a complex condition with many risk factors and underlying causes. It can take time and trial and error to find a solution that works for you, but a specialist can help simplify this process. 

At SLENT, Dr. Connolly provides access to overnight and at-home sleep studies to fully evaluate your symptoms. Depending on the severity of your sleep apnea, your treatment plan might include: 

• Custom-fitted oral appliances
• Positive airway pressure (PAP) therapy
• Removal of the tonsils (tonsillectomy)
• Surgery to remove other excess soft tissue 

Whether or not your OSA is fully curable depends on the specifics of your case, but we can definitely recommend treatment that will help resolve your symptoms and make sleeping easier.

Tired of restless nights, sore throats, and headaches? Schedule a consultation with the team at SLENT by calling the location closest to you, or request an appointment online.