What Doctors Deal With Sleep Apnea?

Sleep apnea occurs when a person is sleeping and their breathing stops and starts over and over again. The person might not be able to tell this is happening unless their sleep partner points it out. Recognizing the signs and symptoms of sleep apnea can be difficult, but they generally include:

– Waking up in the middle of the night feeling like you’re gasping or choking
– Waking up in the morning feeling very tired even after sleeping well
– Sleep that’s restless, or recurrent awakenings
– Changes to your mood
– A decrease in your sex drive
– Snoring loudly
– Insomnia
– Headaches

Keeping a sleep journal could help you identify the symptoms of sleep apnea, especially if your sleep partner helps with this. Symptoms can differ depending on the particular type of sleep apnea.

Yes, there are different types of sleep apnea. The most common one is obstructive sleep apnea. It can occur during sleep when someone’s throat muscles relax and/or collapse, which blocks airflow. The other kinds of sleep apnea are central sleep apnea and complex sleep apnea syndrome. With central sleep apnea, a person’s brain isn’t sending the proper signals to the muscles that control breathing. Complex sleep apnea syndrome occurs when both obstructive and central sleep apnea happen simultaneously. Because sleep apnea is serious and the different types of sleep apnea require different treatments, it’s important to have sleep apnea addressed by a professional.

A sleep apnea doctor is the kind of professional you should see about your sleep apnea. This professional can help with other sleep-related issues too, and address the underlying causes of your sleep issues. Different sleep apnea doctors may suggest different treatments for sleep apnea, such as CPAP therapy or oral appliance therapy.

Here at Koala® Center For Sleep & TMJ Disorders, we prefer oral appliance therapy to treat sleep apnea, and this is because it is generally simpler, easier, and more comfortable for patients. Unlike CPAP therapy with a CPAP machine, oral appliance therapy doesn’t use any machines or face masks. Instead, only a simple oral appliance is used at night. It helps the patient’s jaw, tongue, and airway to rest in their natural positions, which prevents any blockages and the airway from collapsing. Oral appliance therapy is approved by the American Academy of Sleep Medicine.

Yes, we do. Koala® Center For Sleep & TMJ Disorders has sleep apnea doctors at our locations in Illinois, Indiana, Missouri, Texas and Wisconsin. These locations‘ addresses and contact information are available on our Appointments page. On that page, you can book a consultation with one of our sleep apnea doctors so he or she can tell you more about your options for treatment. You can also book with us by calling us. We’d be happy to speak with you for any reason, so don’t hesitate to give us a call today here at Koala® Center For Sleep & TMJ Disorders.