Sleep Apnea Specialist

What is sleep apnea?

Sleep apnea is a sleep disorder that disrupts normal breathing while you sleep. There are two primary types of sleep apnea:

Central sleep apnea

Central sleep apnea is a breathing disorder that causes your body to decrease or stop breathing during sleep. This type of sleep apnea may be related to a problem with the brain or heart.

Obstructive sleep apnea

Obstructive sleep apnea is a sleep-related breathing disorder. With obstructive sleep apnea, the tongue and soft tissues in the throat collapse and block the airway, preventing air from reaching the lungs. 

Sleeping causes the muscles in the throat to relax; then, gravity causes the tongue to fall back and block the airway. This blockage may occur a few times or several hundred times a night.

Sleep apnea is a serious medical condition. Sleep apnea can lead to:  

• Hypertension and high blood pressure
• Weight gain and obesity
• Type 2 Diabetes
• Atrial fibrillation and cardiac arrhythmias
• Heart attack or stroke
• Insomnia
• Depression or Anxiety
• Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) 
• Erectile Dysfunction

What are the warning signs of sleep apnea?

Both central and obstructive sleep apnea cause similar symptoms. Warning signs that you or someone you love may have sleep apnea include:

• Loud snoring
• Snoring that’s interrupted by pauses in breathing and then gasping
• Difficulty waking up or unrefreshing sleep
• Falling asleep at inappropriate times
• Difficulty with concentration or memory
• Irritability 
• Depression
• Low libido
• Headaches
• Waking up with a dry mouth or sore throat
• Frequent nighttime urination

Snoring is not always loud or obvious in people with obstructive sleep apnea.  For example, women and children affected by obstructive sleep apnea often do not snore loudly or regularly.  On the other hand, most people who snore loudly have obstructive sleep apnea.  If you or someone you love snores loudly, be sure to schedule an evaluation at Dallas Sleep. They are the leading experts on sleep and snoring in the state of Texas. 

What happens during a sleep apnea consultation?

The Dallas Sleep team specializes in diagnosing, treating, and managing sleep apnea. When you come in for a sleep apnea consultation, they first conduct an evaluation. 

If they suspect you have sleep apnea, they perform tests, which may include:

Home sleep testing

Home sleep testing is an at-home sleep study that screens for sleep apnea. The test monitors your breathing while you sleep.

Sleep center testing

Sleep center testing is a lab-based sleep study. During the sleep center test, you spend the night at the state-of-the-art sleep lab so Dr. Kakar and the sleep technicians can monitor your body, brain, and breathing while you sleep. 

How is sleep apnea treated?

The Dallas Sleep team provides the best quality care for sleep apnea. They tailor a treatment plan that fits your needs using the most innovative solutions available. Treatment for your sleep apnea may include:

• Change in sleep position
• Weight loss
• Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy
• Bilevel positive airway pressure (BiPAP) therapy
• Oral appliance therapy
• Upper airway surgery

Early diagnosis and treatment of sleep apnea can significantly improve your quality of life. To schedule a consultation with the experts at Dallas Sleep, call the office or book an appointment online today.