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Sleep Apnea Specialist

The Beverly Hills Lung and Sleep Institute

Pulmonary, Critical Care & Sleep Medicine Specialists located in Beverly Hills, CA

An estimated 18 million Americans have sleep apnea, a condition that can affect you both night and day. Fortunately, relief is possible for those in Beverly Hills, California, who rely on the care Ashkan Naraghi, MD,
 and Dan Naim, MD, of The Beverly Hills Lung and Sleep Institute. If you or a loved one is not getting the rest needed to thrive, schedule a diagnostic exam online or over the phone to find answers and explore solutions.

Sleep Apnea

What is sleep apnea?

Sleep apnea is a common sleep disorder that can rob you of the rest your body needs to function properly. People with sleep apnea experience multiple breathing disruptions throughout the night, interfering with their ability to get sufficient rest. 

There are several types of sleep apnea, including:

Obstructive sleep apnea

This is the most common type and occurs when the muscles in your throat relax during sleep and block airflow. 

Central sleep apnea

This occurs when your brain isn’t able to communicate the right signals to the muscles that control your nighttime breathing.

Complex sleep apnea

This type is a combination of central and obstructive sleep apnea. 

Working with a skilled specialist at The Beverly Hills Lung and Sleep Institute is the best way to determine the cause of your sleep disruptions. 

What are the symptoms of sleep apnea?

It’s easy to overlook the symptoms of sleep apnea as being related to another issue. Knowing what to look for can help you determine when to seek professional help for sleep apnea. 

Some of the symptoms of sleep apnea include:

  • Struggling to stay asleep
  • Excessive daytime sleepiness
  • Loud snoring
  • Gasping for air during the night
  • Awakening with a headache or dry mouth
  • Concentration problems during the day
  • Daytime irritability or mood swings

Very often, the most reliable indicator of sleep apnea is the symptoms noted by your sleep partner. Sleep apnea often disrupts not just your sleep, but the sleep of the person who shares your bed, too. 

What can be done to treat sleep apnea?

The first step is determining which type of sleep apnea from which you’re suffering. Your treatment plan is then shaped according to your overall health and the likely cause of sleep disruptions. 

For many men and women, losing weight and making other lifestyle improvements are powerful ways to address sleep apnea. That’s especially true when you consider that sleep apnea is tied to an increase in type 2 diabetes, metabolic syndrome, hypertension, and heart disease. 

One treatment option is called a continuous positive airway pressure, or CPAP, device. This machine delivers air pressure through a mask worn at night. That pressure helps keep your airways open while you sleep and also reduces snoring. 

An oral appliance similar to a mouthguard can also help. These devices reposition your jaw to reduce airway obstruction. They offer a customized fit and are easy to wear once you get used to them. 

In rare cases, surgery is the best approach. Surgery can remove or shrink excess throat tissue or reposition your jaw.

To explore these and other treatments for sleep apnea, call The Beverly Hills Lung and Sleep Institute or schedule an appointment online today.