Obstructive Sleep Apnea

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) occurs during sleep when the muscles in the airway relax to a point at which breathing becomes obstructed. This impaired breathing causes your brain to wake you in order to reopen your airway. This reaction can occur hundreds of times per night, resulting in snoring, fatigue, irritability, and other side effects. Eventually, it can increase your risk of heart disease and other serious conditions. We offer many treatment options for obstructive sleep apnea at our Montgomery, AL, practice. Contact us to schedule a visit. During your consultation, you will learn more about the disorder as well as diagnostic and treatment modalities.

OSA can affect anyone, but there are certain risk factors that may make you more prone to developing the condition, including:

Your doctor will discuss your symptoms and your medical history. He will conduct a physical examination of the back of your throat, mouth, and nose for any structural abnormalities. You may be referred to a sleep specialist to conduct additional testing in order to better understand the severity of your condition. Polysomnography involves attaching equipment that will monitor your heart, lung, and brain activity as well as breathing, body movements, and oxygen levels while you sleep. This is usually done over the course of a night spent in a specialized facility, but in some instances, your sleep specialist may provide you with an at-home guage. 

We offer both non-surgical and surgical treatment options for OSA. Non-surgical treatment with a custom-fitted oral appliance is often sufficient for alleviating the symptoms of OSA. The oral appliance is designed to maintain jaw positioning to prevent the airway from closing. In more serious cases, surgical intervention may be required. Surgical treatment involves soft tissue surgery followed by surgery to reposition the jaw. This combination can eliminate the structural issues contributing to the condition. 

OSA can cause a variety of issues, including fatigue, depression, and a weakened immune system. Fortunately, we can help you achieve restful sleep and avoid these issues. Contact us to learn more about the non-surgical and surgical treatment options we provide.