Sleep apnea can leave you feeling tired during the day, cause debilitating headaches, and lead to severe health consequences like increased risk of high blood pressure, strokes, and heart attacks down the road. If you have sleep apnea, you may be wondering if there is a cure. Though there is not necessarily a cure, there are many treatments options available. Sleep apnea treatment centers are equipped to help you determine the best approach for your unique situation and symptoms.

How Sleep Apnea Treatment Centers Diagnose Your Condition

Diagnosing sleep apnea happens in various steps. First, your primary care doctor will evaluate your symptoms and sleep history to determine if a referral to a sleep specialist is needed. There, a board-certified sleep specialist will decide whether a sleep study is needed. Sleep studies can be conducted in the comfort of your home or in a sleep center.

Sleep studies conducted at a center are overnight and non-invasive. The study monitors what happens in your body and brain while you sleep. Home tests are more simplified versions of center-based tests. If you are found to have obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), you might be referred to an ENT doctor to rule out the possibility of blockages in the nose or throat. A holistic approach is taken when diagnosing sleep apnea to ensure the treatment plan addresses the root of the condition.

How Sleep Apnea is Treated

Once you receive the diagnosis of sleep apnea a sleep specialist will provide a treatment plan based on the severity. Treatment plans can vary from weight loss to use of a CPAP machine and even surgery.

In most cases, a CPAP machine is enough to alleviate symptoms. Surgery might be used to remove excess tissue that causes upper airway restriction. Surgery is a last resort and before it is considered, all other methods of treatment are tested.

The Best Way to Treat Sleep Apnea

Sleep apnea is generally considered a chronic condition. If you are overweight, sleep apnea might be caused by excess tissue around the airway. Weight loss can result in a reduction of the tissue allowing less pressure on the airways when asleep. Another possible solution for sleep apnea is targeted exercise. Targeted exercise can tone the muscles lining the airway, making it easier to keep open when asleep.

Contact a Sleep Center in Jacksonville, FL

If you’re dealing with sleep apnea, seek professional help. The Dream Team at Jacksonville Sleep Center is dedicated to finding the best treatment or combination of treatments that work for your unique circumstance. Everyone deserves a great night sleep! Contact us today for an appointment.