Sleep apnea is a potentially serious sleep disorder in which breathing repeatedly stops and starts. If you snore loudly and feel tired even after a full night’s sleep, you might have sleep apnea.  

There are three main types of sleep apnea. They include: 

• Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is the most common form of sleep apnea. It occurs when throat muscles relax and block the flow of air into the lungs. 

• Central sleep apnea (CSA) occurs when the brain doesn’t send proper signals to the muscles that control breathing. 

• Treatment-emergent central sleep apnea, also known as complex sleep apnea, occurs when an individual with OSA develops CSA while undergoing therapy for their OSA.  

The symptoms of obstructive and central sleep apnea overlap, which makes it difficult to determine which type a person has. The most common symptoms of obstructive and central sleep apnea include: 

• Loud snoring 

• Episodes in which a person stops breathing during sleep 

• Gasping for air during sleep 

• Awakening with a dry mouth 

• Morning headaches 

• Insomnia 

• Hypersomnia 

• Difficulty paying attention while awake 

• Irritability 

Sleep apnea can cause several complications, including: 

• Daytime fatigue 

• High blood pressure or heart problems 

• Type 2 diabetes 

• Metabolic syndrome 

• Complications with medicines and surgery 

• Liver problems 

• Sleep-deprived partners 

To diagnose sleep apnea, a healthcare provider will evaluate your symptoms and sleep history. They may refer you to a sleep disorder center, where a sleep specialist can help determine if further evaluation is needed. An evaluation can involve overnight monitoring of your breathing and other body functions during sleep testing. Tests to detect sleep apnea include: 

• Nocturnal polysomnography 

• Home sleep tests 

If you have OSA, a healthcare provider may refer you to an ear, nose, and throat specialist to rule out a blockage in your nose and throat.  

To treat sleep apnea, a healthcare provider may recommend lifestyle changes, such as losing weight or quitting smoking, in mild cases. Other sleep apnea treatments include: 

• Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) 

• Other airway pressure devices 

• Oral appliances 

• Tissue removal 

• Tissue shrinkage 

• Jaw repositioning 

• Implants 

• Nerve stimulation 

• Tracheostomy  

Jamaica Hospital Medical Center is one of the few hospitals in Queens to offer Inspire therapy, a breakthrough treatment option for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) for those who cannot use continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy. 

To learn more about Inspire at Jamaica Hospital Medical Center, please visit Jamaicahospital.org or call (718) 206-7110 to make an appointment with an ENT specialist. 

All content of this newsletter is intended for general information purposes only and is not intended or implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Please consult a medical professional before adopting any of the suggestions on this page. You must never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking medical treatment based upon any content of this newsletter. PROMPTLY CONSULT YOUR PHYSICIAN OR CALL 911 IF YOU BELIEVE YOU HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY.