What Is Sleep Apnea?
Sleep apnea is a condition in which your breathing repeatedly slows or stops for short periods throughout the night, disrupting normal sleep and reducing the amount of oxygen your body receives. You may not remember these interruptions in the morning, but their effects are often very noticeable: headaches, brain fog, and a sense of never feeling fully rested. Beyond the immediate effects on sleep and energy, untreated sleep apnea can place added strain on your body, potentially increasing your risk of hypertension, cardiovascular disease, and stroke. If you suffer from extreme snoring or have been diagnosed with sleep apnea and haven't found relief from more conservative treatments, Coastal Ear, Nose and Throat offers a range of treatment options, from minimally invasive procedures to advanced airway surgery. By tailoring treatment to each patient's needs and anatomy, our team can help create a more stable path for airflow so you can enjoy more restful sleep. Explore your options for sleep apnea treatment by scheduling an appointment with our ear, nose, and throat specialists in Holmdel, NJ today.
How Do You Treat Sleep Apnea?
Surgical treatment for obstructive sleep apnea focuses on creating more room for airflow or helping prevent the airway from collapsing during sleep. The right approach depends on the location of the obstruction, the severity of your sleep apnea, anatomy, and overall health. Coastal Ear, Nose and Throat offers several treatment options for sleep apnea, including:
- Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UPPP): UPPP creates additional space in the throat by removing or reshaping excess tissue around the soft palate and throat. In many cases, the tonsils and adenoids may also be removed.
- Septoplasty and turbinate surgery: A deviated septum or enlarged turbinates can make it difficult for air to pass freely through the nose. Straightening the septum and reducing the size of the turbinates can improve nasal airflow.
- Inspire® upper airway stimulation: Inspire is a small implanted device that gently stimulates the nerve controlling tongue movement to help keep the airway open during sleep.
- Genioglossus and hyoid advancement: These procedures reposition and stabilize structures connected to the tongue and lower throat, helping prevent the tongue and surrounding tissues from falling backward and blocking the airway during sleep.
- Airlift: Airlift is a minimally invasive procedure that supports the tongue and upper airway to reduce collapse during sleep.
- Maxillomandibular advancement: This surgery moves the upper and lower jaws forward, creating additional space behind the tongue and soft palate for air to flow.
- Tracheostomy: Reserved for rare and severe cases of obstructive sleep apnea, a tracheostomy creates an opening in the neck that allows air to bypass an obstructed upper airway.
Our team will explain what to expect before treatment, including anesthesia, recovery time, activity restrictions, and how soon you should start seeing results.
What Are the Benefits of Sleep Apnea Treatments?
Addressing sleep apnea can do more than just improve the quality of your rest — it can also help protect your health while allowing you to feel more awake, focused, and refreshed. The benefits of our sleep apnea treatments at Coastal Ear, Nose and Throat include:
- Helping you sleep more soundly with fewer breathing interruptions
- Reducing loud snoring, gasping, and choking during sleep
- Increasing your energy after a more restful night's sleep
- Improving concentration and alertness throughout the day
- Lowering health risks associated with untreated sleep apnea
- Helping you wake up feeling more refreshed and ready for the day
Sleep Apnea Reviews
Excellent Doctor. Helped me through Thyroid surgery and now with sleep apnea. Always informative and takes the time to answer any questions I may have.
Dr Husain is an amazing doctor and he took really good care of me and I can finally breathe clearly again. I went to see him because of my snoring and I end up finding out that I had bigger problems than that. I went in for surgery last week and I had the stents removed today and I have never been able to breath so clearly in my life. He was there with me every step of the way and I am very thankful for him and the whole staff there at Coastal ENT.
My first visit to see Dr Patel. The woman at the front desk was very pleasant and checked in with an iPad. Def easier than paper. I was seen on time and Dr Patel listened to my concerns with sleep apnea and we discussed using inspire which I was hoping to get. Unfortunately he's so good at what he does I have to wait a bit for a final test. Other than that I would recommend this practice.
Dr. Patel is the best in his Field!! So professional and speaks clearly!! Been to 4 dr. For sleep apnea and he is The best!!! Glad I came here!!! Also his assistants are very talented and kind
Appointment was at 10:15 am. Was out by 10:25 am! Not rushed, just straight to the point and asked if we had any questions (son has large tonsils so did a sleep study to rule out sleep apnea which results show he does NOT have so no surgery needed!). Great doctor, organized front desk staff. Definitely recommend if you’re in need of an ENT.
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Frequently Asked Questions about Sleep Apnea
What causes sleep apnea?
Obstructive sleep apnea can affect almost anyone, but some people are more likely to develop it. Risk tends to increase with age, and carrying excess weight can make airway narrowing more likely. A naturally narrow airway, large tonsils, certain jaw or facial structures, or other anatomical differences can also contribute. Ultimately, sleep apnea develops because the airway becomes too narrow or closes during sleep, and several factors may contribute to that happening.
What are the different types of sleep apnea?
There are three main types. Obstructive sleep apnea occurs when the upper airway becomes blocked or collapses during sleep and is the type most commonly treated with ear, nose, and throat care. Central sleep apnea happens when the brain does not consistently send the signals needed to control breathing. Some people have features of both, which is known as complex or treatment-emergent sleep apnea. Different types of sleep apnea are treated differently, so knowing which one you're experiencing is important.
How can you tell if you have sleep apnea?
Loud snoring, pauses in breathing, or waking up gasping or choking can all be warning signs. You might also wake with a dry mouth or headache, feel unusually tired during the day, or have trouble concentrating even though you thought you slept through the night. If those experiences sound familiar, it is worth talking with a doctor rather than assuming poor sleep is something you have to live with.
Is sleep apnea dangerous?
It can be. Sleep apnea repeatedly interrupts breathing and lowers oxygen levels while you sleep, placing additional stress on your body night after night. Over time, untreated sleep apnea can increase the risk of problems such as high blood pressure, heart disease, and stroke. Treating sleep apnea is important both for feeling better and for protecting your long-term health.
What helps with snoring?
The right solution depends on why you snore. Sleeping position, alcohol use, nasal congestion, excess tissue in the throat, and the structure of the nose, tongue, or jaw can all play a role. Simple changes may help with occasional snoring, but if you experience loud or persistent snoring along with gasping, choking, or daytime tiredness, it may be worth seeking a diagnosis to learn if you have sleep apnea.
Enjoy More Restful Sleep
Restful sleep is crucial for good health. If you suffer from persistent, loud snoring, wake up gasping for air, or regularly feel fatigued throughout the day, you might be living with sleep apnea. At Coastal Ear, Nose and Throat, our team offers a range of surgical approaches for patients experiencing sleep apnea throughout Neptune, Holmdel, and Manahawkin, NJ and surrounding areas. Schedule an appointment today to learn how we can help you breathe more consistently at night and get more from the hours you spend asleep.