Many ear, nose and throat problems are associated with, or even caused by undiagnosed sleep apnea, a common sleep disorder that affects more than twelve million people in this country. In many cases, an ENT problem may not get better until the sleep apnea is diagnosed and treated.
What is Sleep Apnea?
Sleep apnea is the term used to describe breathing problems that occur during sleep.
People who suffer from sleep apnea may stop breathing or have their breathing interrupted hundreds of times during the night. Most people are not aware that they have a sleep problem. A bed partner or family member is often the first to notice.
Obstructive sleep apnea is the most common type of sleep apnea and can affect anyone, at any age, even children. This condition often remains untreated because of the lack of awareness by the public and healthcare professionals. If undiagnosed and untreated, sleep apnea can lead to serious, even life-threatening consequences. 
What are Sleep Apnea Symptoms
- Loud, disruptive snoring in most but not all cases
- Excessive daytime sleepiness
- Gasping, pauses or shallow breathing during sleep
- Restless sleep
- Morning headache
- High blood pressure
Sleep Apnea in Children
Children of any age can have sleep apnea. In addition to the other sleep apnea symptoms, children with sleep apnea may be hyperactive or even be diagnosed with ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder).
Why Does it Matter?
Sleep apnea causes an increased effort to breathe places stress on the heart, lungs, blood pressure and brain. Night after night sleep is disrupted. Sleep apnea makes it difficult to get the quality sleep that the body needs, resulting in fatigue or even symptoms of depression. This affects quality of life, work, health and even relationships. If it goes untreated, sleep apnea can lead to permanent heart and lung damage and even shorten one's lifespan.
Testing for Sleep Apnea
Getting tested and treated may provide useful information regarding overall health and lead to quality sleep at night. Your ENT physician may order a Sleep Study, also called polysomnography (PSG), to determine if you suffer from a sleep disorder. The procedure takes place while you sleep and is entirely painless.
Treatment for Sleep Apnea
The good news is that sleep apnea can be treated at Ohio ENT. Some of the most common treatments for sleep apnea include a device called Nasal CPAP, a mouthpiece (called an oral appliance) and various surgical procedures. Weight loss, if appropriate, sometimes cures sleep apnea without any other treatment. Your doctors can discuss the options with you to help you find the best treatment.
Some patients see their high blood pressure, acid reflux and diabetes improve with proper treatment of their sleep apnea. Patients with heart problems often see improvements in this condition. Most patients simply feel better after successful treatment.
