Overview

Sleep apnea is a common condition characterized by repeated breathing pauses while sleeping, making it difficult for your body to get enough oxygen. If left untreated, it can lead to loud snoring, excessive fatigue, heart problems, and other complications, such as high blood pressure or type 2 diabetes. This condition affects both men and women but seems to occur more commonly in men.

What are the types of sleep apnea?

There are three types of sleep apnea:

Obstructive sleep apnea, which occurs when the soft tissue in the back of your throat compresses, causing your airway to become closed for a short period during sleep.
Central sleep apnea is when your brain fails to deliver correct signals to the muscles that control your breathing, making you breathe slowly. People with neuromuscular disease (such as heart failure) are more likely to have this condition.
Complex sleep apnea, also known as mixed sleep apnea, is when you have both obstructive and central sleep apnea.

What are the symptoms of sleep apnea?

The most common symptoms of sleep apnea include:

Having anxiety, depression, or irritability
Waking up with a dry mouth or headache
Feeling tired or sleepy during the day
Having difficulty concentrating or remembering things
Feeling as if you are gasping for air or choking at night

How is sleep apnea treated?

Depending on the severity of your condition, our doctor may suggest one of the following treatments:

Lifestyle adjustments: There are changes you can do to improve your quality of life and manage symptoms, including losing weight, exercising regularly, avoiding alcohol, and quitting smoking.
Nasal allergy treatment (for people who have nasal allergies)
The CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure) breathing machine: This device blows humidified air into your nose through a mask, creating air pressure that keeps your throat open while you sleep to prevent apnea and snoring.
Auto-CPAP device: This device automatically adjusts the pressure while you sleep.
Oxygen supplementation: There are several different types of devices that can help you consume more oxygen while sleeping.
Treatment for medical problems: Patients who have a heart or neuromuscular disease can resolve their sleep apnea by treating the medical disease.

In severe cases of sleep apnea, the doctor may recommend surgery to remove swollen tonsils or adenoids, shrink tissue in the back of your mouth and throat, or push your jaw forward to expand the space behind the tongue and soft palate. They may also suggest creating a new air passageway by making a hole in your neck and inserting a tube through which you breathe.

Schedule your appointment at Novomed today!

If you suffer from sleep apnea, make an appointment with one of our expert pulmonologist in Dubai to learn more about your condition and treatment options.

Book your consultation today by calling toll-free 8006686 or clicking the live chat icon at the bottom of the screen.