Sleep Apnea

Sleep apnea inhibits you from getting a good night’s sleep and can lead to a variety of serious health complications if left unchecked. Sameh Nabelsi, MD, provides top-of-the-line sleep apnea care at his private practice in Flossmoor, Illinois. To schedule a sleep apnea evaluation and treatment consultation, call Sameh Nabelsi, MD, or book online today.

What is sleep apnea?

Sleep apnea is a sleep disorder that makes it difficult for your body to get all of the oxygen it needs at night to function well both while you sleep and during the day. The condition causes pauses in your breathing that might cause you to gasp for air or wake up intermittently throughout the night. 

There are two main types of sleep apnea:

Obstructive sleep apnea

Obstructive sleep apnea affects you when the tissues of your airway close in on each other and get in the way of proper airflow. You’re more likely to have this condition if you’re overweight, have a large tongue, or a large neck. 

Central sleep apnea

Central sleep apnea happens when your brain’s signals are interrupted, which causes your breathing to stop sometimes while you sleep.

A third, less common type of sleep apnea, is a combination of the main two types.

When should I get a sleep study for sleep apnea?

You should consider getting a sleep study if you experience sleep apnea symptoms. The main symptom of sleep apnea is paused breathing as you sleep, which you may or may not detect on your own. There are additional symptoms that affect you throughout the day and may become more noticeable over time.

Some of the most common sleep apnea symptoms are:

• Daytime sleepiness
• Dry mouth in the morning
• Insomnia
• Sexual dysfunction
• Morning headaches
• Trouble concentrating during the day
• Moodiness

Over time and without proper management, sleep apnea can lead to severe health complications like high blood pressure and heart problems. 

How can I manage my sleep apnea?

Samen Nabelsi, MD, helps you manage your sleep apnea with the individualized treatment you need. After evaluating and diagnosing your sleep apnea, Dr. Nabelsi creates your care plan with emphasis on conservative treatments. First-line recommendations can include weight management, sleep position changes, and medication changes. 

If you need more complex care for your sleep apnea, Dr. Nabelsi might recommend a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) device to use at night. This device forces your airway open with continuous air pressure while you sleep. 

Other options you can get, depending on your type of sleep apnea, are oral appliances, nerve stimulators, medications for central sleep apnea, or various surgeries to reconfigure your jaw or airway. 

Call Sameh Nabelsi, MD, or schedule a visit online to find out more about sleep apnea treatment today.