Sleep Apnea Specialist

Sleep Apnea Specialist services offered in Allen, Mckinney and Plano, TX

Sleep apnea, or sleep-disordered breathing, is a common condition that causes breathing to become shallow or stop for a period of time while you sleep. Board-certified pulmonologists Anthony Nebor, MD, treats adults with sleep apnea at Fivestar Pulmonary Associates in Allen, Plano, and Mckinney, Texas. If you think you may have sleep apnea, call the office, or book an appointment online today.

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Sleep Apnea Q & A

What is sleep apnea?

Sleep apnea is when breathing repeatedly stops and starts during sleep. There are different types of sleep apnea:

Obstructive sleep apnea

Obstructive sleep apnea is the most common type. This condition occurs when the airway collapses or gets blocked, reducing or stopping airflow. Breathing starts again with a snort or choking sound.

Central sleep apnea

Central sleep apnea is a neurological condition that happens when the brain doesn’t send the signals you need to breathe.

Complex sleep apnea syndrome

This condition describes someone with both obstructive sleep apnea and central sleep apnea.

How do I know if I have sleep apnea?

Sleep apnea usually causes loud snoring, but not everyone who snores has sleep apnea. You may have sleep apnea if another person in your home reports that you stop breathing and start again while you sleep.

Other signs and symptoms of sleep apnea include:

Waking up with a dry mouth
Feeling tired during the day despite a full night’s sleep
Difficulty paying attention while awake
Gasping for air during sleep
Headaches in the morning

Without treatment, sleep apnea can lead to a host of complications, like daytime sleepiness that increases the risk of accidents. Not getting enough sleep can also negatively affect your mood and mental health, while loud snoring may cause your partner to become sleep deprived themselves.

How is sleep apnea diagnosed and treated?

First, your provider at Fivestar Pulmonary Associates performs a physical exam and reviews your symptoms and sleep history. If possible, they may ask for information from your partner or another person in your household.

Your provider will conduct a sleep study, which records your breathing and other bodily functions during sleep.

After they diagnose sleep apnea, Fivestar Pulmonary Associates recommends the best approach to treatment.

Mild cases of sleep apnea may resolve with lifestyle changes like quitting smoking or weight loss. If lifestyle changes aren’t enough, your provider may recommend a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) device, which delivers steady air pressure through a mask while you sleep.

Other treatment options for sleep apnea include oral devices, supplemental oxygen, and adaptive servo-ventilation devices.

For comprehensive care of sleep apnea, call Fivestar Pulmonary Associates, or book an appointment online today.

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