Overview: Learn which medical professionals diagnose and treat sleep apnea and understand the standard diagnostic and treatment processes for this sleep disorder.
Understand Sleep Apnea Symptoms
Sleep apnea is a disorder where breathing repeatedly stops and starts during sleep. This condition ranges from mild, characterized by infrequent gaps in breathing, to severe, which involves frequent and long gaps. The primary symptoms of sleep apnea include:
Snoring
Fatigue even after a full night of sleep
Identify Professionals Who Treat Sleep Apnea
Multiple types of medical specialists provide treatment for sleep apnea. These professionals include:
Pulmonologists: Doctors specializing in the respiratory system.
ENTs: Ear, nose, and throat doctors.
Dentists: Dental professionals who can provide specialized oral appliances.
Follow the Diagnostic Process
To receive a diagnosis for sleep apnea, a patient must follow specific medical steps:
Consult a Physician: Visit a board-certified physician to discuss symptoms.
Obtain a Prescription: Secure a prescription from the physician to conduct a formal sleep study.
Complete a Sleep Study: Undergo the sleep study to determine if sleep apnea is present and if the patient qualifies for medical treatment.
Compare Sleep Apnea Treatment Options
There are two primary treatments available for patients diagnosed with sleep apnea:
CPAP (Continuous Positive Airway Pressure)
CPAP therapy uses a machine to provide pressurized air through a mask sealed over the mouth or nose. This pressurized air prevents the airway from collapsing, allowing the patient to breathe easily without waking up.
Intraoral Appliances
Intraoral devices are dental tools that advance the lower jaw forward to enlarge the pharyngeal airway. By pulling tissue away from the air passage, these devices make breathing easier for the patient during sleep.