Many people suffer from snoring, or even the effects of snoring, but could your snoring or a loved one's be a sign of an underlying and more serious problem? The Doctors at North Fulton ENT say it could be sleep apnea...
As anyone with a snoring partner knows, snoring is both annoying and troublesome. Snoring not only interferes with other people’s sleep, it can interfere with your sleep and could even be a sign of a more serious condition called sleep apnea. People who suffer from sleep apnea not only snore, they actually stop breathing as a result of blockage in the throat. If you have sleep apnea, you wake up several times a night to begin breathing properly again. This not only disturbs your restfulness at night, but can translate into difficulty concentrating and feeling well during the day. Sufferers of sleep apnea are also more likely to develop other health problems, including high blood pressure, heart attack, and stroke.
The Doctors at North Fulton Ear, Nose & Throat Associates can help diagnose and treat sleep apnea. Beginning with a medical history and physical exam, a doctor can also initiate an overnight sleep study that can help determine if
your snoring is due to sleep apnea. A sleep study measures and records breathing, heart rate, oxygen levels and other functions while you sleep. The results help your doctor diagnose and determine treatment that will help you – and
your bedmate – return to a good night’s sleep.
Treatment for snoring and sleep apnea may involve a change in habits, such as sleeping positions, food and drink intake, weight loss, or may require the use of a CPAP machine, a small portable pump that is worn to gently push
air through the airway while you sleep. There are also common, simple surgical procedures that can widen the airways to improve breathing.
If you or a loved one is suffering from the affects of a poor night’s sleep due to snoring, talk to a doctor. The doctors of North Fulton ENT are well trained and equipped to help diagnose and treat complications of snoring and sleep apnea. Call any of their three locations: In Cumming at (770) 886-5825; Roswell (770) 343-8675; Atlanta (404) 255-5565. Or visit their website www.northfultonent.com for office locations, hours, and additional information
