Obstructive Sleep Apnea

How your ENT doctors in Thousand Oaks, CA, can help you sleep better

Do you still feel drowsy in the morning? Have you been told you snore? If this sounds familiar, you could have obstructive sleep apnea. Obstructive sleep apnea is a condition that can shorten your life. Fortunately, it’s also easily treatable, but you need to visit your ENT specialist for help.

The ENT doctors at West Coast Ear, Nose, Throat, Head And Neck Surgery offer a wide range of ENT services, including sleep apnea treatment, and treatment of ear infections, sinus surgery, thyroid surgery, allergy, and hearing loss. They have convenient office locations in Thousand Oaks, Simi Valley, Oxnard, and Camarillo, CA, to help you.

Obstructive sleep apnea is caused by the tissue at the back of your throat relaxing. The relaxed tissue partially or completely blocks your airway while you sleep, causing a lack of oxygen to reach your vital organs. This lack of oxygen can increase your risk of having a stroke, acquiring diabetes, suffering from heart disease, or other serious medical condition.

You may have obstructive sleep apnea if you:

● Are told you snore loudly and frequently
● Wake up gasping for air or choking
● Experience a headache when you wake up
● Have a sore throat when you wake up
● Feel drowsy or groggy during the day
● Have problems concentrating or focusing

The first step in treating sleep apnea is having a sleep study done to confirm you have sleep apnea. Once a diagnosis is confirmed, there are a few different methods of treatment:

A Continuous Positive Air Pressure machine, known as a CPAP; the CPAP has a mask that fits over your nose and mouth. The mask is attached to a device that provides continuous air to your airways throughout the night.

An oral mandibular advancement appliance; you wear this appliance while you sleep, and it holds your lower jaw forward, keeping your airway open.

You can help prevent snoring and airway issues if you:

● Avoid drinking alcohol before bed
● Avoid taking sedatives before bed
● Take a decongestant before bed

To learn more about treatment for obstructive sleep apnea, and other ENT services, call the ENT doctors at West Coast Ear, Nose, Throat, Head And Neck Surgery. You can reach them in Thousand Oaks, CA, at (805) 379-9646, in Simi Valley, at (805) 527-7320, in Oxnard, at (805) 983-0395, or in Camarillo, CA, at (805) 484-5929, so call now.