Sleep Apnea Treatment - Aliso Viejo, CA
If your breathing is interrupted for any reason while you sleep, you may be at risk for a number of health issues and need treatment as soon as possible. Failing to breathe properly, even for short periods of time, can prevent oxygen flow to the brain and put you at risk for heart failure or a stroke.
Signs of Sleep Apnea
Do you need snoring treatment? If you are experiencing any of the following symptoms, schedule a consultation for sleep apnea treatment with Dr. Claire Cho in our Aliso Viejo, CA office, conveniently located near to Mission Viejo, CA. You may have sleep apnea if you experience one or more of the following:
- Insomnia
- Making choking or snorting sounds while asleep
- Loud snoring
- Difficulty falling and staying asleep
- Extreme drowsiness
- Falling asleep unintentionally during daytime hours
- Waking up short of breath
Types of Sleep Apnea
Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and central sleep apnea (CSA) are the two types of sleep apnea. You have OSA when the airways are blocked because the tissue in the back of the throat collapses. CSA occurs when the brain stops sending signals to the muscles that support breathing.
Some of the common warning signs of sleep apnea that may require snoring treatment include difficulty sleeping, fatigue during the day, and waking up at night short of breath. Sleep apnea may cause complications with surgery and can occur when taking certain types of medication. Snoring treatment options may include lifestyle changes or wearing an oral device that opens up the airways.
Your Sleep Apnea Specialist
Obstructive Sleep Apnea is a condition in which a person stops breathing or loses oxygen in the blood due to decreased intake of air during sleep. Sleep apnea affects the body’s ability to fall into the restful stages of sleep which are critical to repair of the body and refreshing the brain. Sleep apnea sufferers often wake multiple times in the night, sometimes even without any awareness of the awakenings. Those with sleep apnea often snore heavily in their attempt to increase oxygen flow into their body, and in so doing also affect the sleep quality of their bed partners.
Somnodent
The Somnodent oral appliance has been FDA approved to treat sleep apnea. It works to open the airway without forcefully pushing air into the throat. Instead, it gently positions the jaw to maintain the airway in its upright dimensions instead of collapsing onto the throat when lying down to sleep. Oral appliances are much more discreet and easy to care for, travel with, and tolerate for most patients. In fact, 96% of patients with obstructive sleep apnea who have tried the device want to continue using the device. If you are experiencing sleep apnea symptoms or feel you may need to explore snoring treatment options, we can help. Schedule your consultation in Aliso Viejo, CA with Dr. Cho today!
The WatchPAT™ System
WatchPAT ™ is an FDA-approved portable diagnostic device that uses the most innovative technology to ensure the accurate screening, detection, and the follow-up treatment of sleep apnea.
Its ease of use is unparalleled in the marketplace and it is greatly complemented by the fact that WatchPAT ™ testing is done in the comfort of your own bedroom, an environment that best reflects the pattern of your sleep habits. That fact alone may prove to be a lifeline for the millions of undiagnosed patients who are unwilling to spend the night away from home in a hospital sleep center. And for those patients who are waiting for a polysomnography (PSG) but can’t be tested due to sleep center backlog, WatchPAT ™ offers an immediate solution.
Ambulatory Blood Pressure Testing
Blood pressure fluctuates over the course of a day, with it rising slightly during the day and dropping slightly at night. For some, blood pressure doesn't drop at night, drops too much, or even rises! Having access to this information is important in diagnosing somebody with sleep apnea and could be indicative of a serious cardiovascular issue. If you're blood pressure is not dropping at night, it is imperative that you talk with a medical professional like Dr. Cho immediately.