Everybody snores now and then, but loud or excessive snoring is more than just an annoyance — it often signals a more serious condition known as obstructive sleep apnea. Sleep apnea interrupts your breathing during sleep, depriving your body of oxygen and leaving you fatigued during the day. At Atkins Expert Sinus Care, our board-certified ENT specialists can help you get relief with a sleep study, CPAP, and sinus care.
Sleep apnea is a medical condition characterized by repeated pauses in breathing throughout the sleep cycle. These pauses can last anywhere from a few seconds to a few minutes and can occur dozens — or even hundreds — of times in a single night. As the airway narrows or closes, the body struggles to take in oxygen, which causes the loud, rattling sound we recognize as snoring.
Obstructive Sleep Apnea
Obstructive sleep apnea is a common form of the disorder that happens when the muscles in the back of the throat relax too much during sleep and narrow the airway. When the brain senses a problem with your breathing, it briefly rouses you to reopen your airway — usually so briefly that you don’t even remember it. But even short sleep disruptions can prevent you from reaching the deep, restorative phases of sleep, leaving you fatigued during the day. Even melatonin may not bring meaningful relief without proper sleep apnea treatment.
The first step to getting treatment is understanding which symptoms to look for — easier said than done, since you’re asleep when most of them happen. Be on the lookout (or ask your partner to watch) for these signs:
When you visit our board-certified otolaryngologists, we diagnose sleep apnea through a consultation and, when needed, a sleep study. Our team usually starts by reviewing your medical history, assessing your symptoms, and performing a physical exam of your mouth and neck.
From there, our specialists may conduct a formal sleep consultation, asking about your sleep habits, daytime fatigue, and snoring patterns. If we suspect obstructive sleep apnea, we may recommend a sleep study — which goes a long way toward determining the severity of your condition and finding a treatment that works for you.
If you’re diagnosed with sleep apnea, treatment is your next step. It can take a few different forms, and our specialists may recommend one or more of the following:
Snoring might be easy to ignore in the short term, but getting treatment is the best way to preserve your sleep — and that of everyone else in the house. At Atkins Expert Sinus Care, we’re glad to provide sleep apnea testing and treatment in San Antonio, TX. Make an appointment for a sleep consultation, and we’ll help you explore your options for long-term relief.
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Atkins Sinus Expert Care is committed to providing personalized care, cutting-edge equipment, and a level of experience you won't find elsewhere.
Otolaryngologist, Founder of Atkins Expert Sinus Care
Otolaryngologist, Fellowship-Trained Rhinologist
Physician Assistant
Book through our online patient portal and let us know some of the symptoms you’re experiencing.
Our team will review your symptoms at your visit and decide what diagnostic tests are needed to get to the root of your problem.
Once the diagnostic tests are done, our team will review them and make a plan of care for you. At that time, they will discuss whether you are a candidate for one of our procedures.
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