Sleep Apnea Specialist
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Sleep Services of Maryland LLC
Sleep Medicine located in Rockville, MD & Germantown, MD
Sleep apnea is a common but serious sleep disorder that needs a proper diagnosis. At Sleep Services of Maryland LLC in Rockville and Germantown, Maryland, Yash Mehndiratta, MD, and the sleep specialists offer sleep studies and other diagnostic testing services to confirm sleep apnea. They provide customized treatments to reduce your risk for heart disease, heart attack, and other serious side effects of untreated sleep apnea. Call the Sleep Services of Maryland LLC office nearest you to schedule a diagnostic evaluation for sleep apnea or book an appointment online today.
Sleep Apnea Q & A
What is sleep apnea?
Sleep apnea is a sleep disorder affecting how you breathe during sleep. People with sleep apnea repeatedly stop breathing for moments during sleep, which causes them to snore loudly and frequently wake up gasping for breath.
The type of sleep apnea depends on what causes the breathing interruptions. The three kinds of sleep apnea include:
Obstructive sleep apnea
Obstructive sleep apnea occurs when your throat muscles relax too much during sleep. These muscles can block your airways and make it difficult for you to breathe.
Central sleep apnea
Central sleep apnea occurs when the signals from your brain to your muscles that control your breathing dysfunction. These pauses in airflow cause you to wake up frequently during the night.
Complex sleep apnea
Complex sleep apnea describes a condition where you have symptoms of both obstructive and central sleep apnea.
While the Sleep Services of Maryland LLC providers specialize in obstructive sleep apnea, they can also diagnose and treat central and complex sleep apnea. Without treatment, sleep apnea can result in high blood pressure, neurological disorders, heart disease, and other potentially life-threatening conditions.
How is sleep apnea diagnosed?
It’s important to schedule an evaluation for sleep apnea if you have symptoms like:
- Dry mouth
- Sore throat
- Loud snoring
- Morning headaches
- Frequent nighttime urination
- Excessive daytime sleepiness
In some cases, the Sleep Services of Maryland LLC providers can diagnose sleep apnea based on a review of your symptoms and a physical exam; however, you may also need a polysomnography (PSG) sleep study.
A sleep study requires you to stay overnight in the on-site sleep lab so the sleep specialists can evaluate your breathing and other sleep behaviors.
In addition to a sleep study, you might need to see an otolaryngologist to identify structural abnormalities that obstruct your breathing, such as excess tissues at the back of your throat, or a neurologist for further testing.
How is sleep apnea treated?
To treat obstructive sleep apnea, the Sleep Services of Maryland LLC providers might recommend an oral appliance you wear while sleeping. The device fits over your teeth like a mouthguard and holds your jaw in a forward position so that you can breathe easier.
You might need to use a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machine if you have severe obstructive sleep apnea. This device delivers a constant flow of oxygen into your body through a mask you wear over your nose.
The CPAP machine will eliminate loud snoring and help you get a better quality of sleep every night.
If you have central or complex sleep apnea, the providers can design a treatment plan to improve your sleep. Your therapy may include medications or surgery to remove enlarged tonsils or excess tissue at the back of your throat.
If you think you have sleep apnea, don’t delay a diagnostic evaluation. Call the office of Sleep Services of Maryland LLC nearest you or book a consultation online today.