Sleep apnea is a well-known medical condition indicated by short periods of respiratory blockage during sleep. If you or your partner skip breaths, snore, or struggle to breathe at night, it is possible that the symptoms of sleep apnea could be at play. Scheduling an appointment with your sleep doctor in New York City as quickly as possible can help you get to sleep more easily.
Does Sleep Apnea Go Away On Its Own?
How is sleep apnea treated? Does sleep apnea go away on its own? What are the indications that you aren’t having a healthy sleep? Let’s get to the bottom of the most pressing sleep apnea questions so you know how to advocate for the best sleep treatment ASAP.
About the Condition
Sleep apnea comes in different forms and types, and the most common is known as obstructive sleep apnea. This condition happens when the respiratory muscles in the back of your throat relax, obstructing your airways for a brief moment. Your blood and oxygen levels drop, making you unable to breathe. The body will gasp, choke, snort, and snore in order to try and wake itself up, forcing you to breathe. This might happen while you sleep, but it will prevent you from feeling well-rested all throughout the night.
Can Sleep Apnea Go Away On Its Own?
Sleep apnea may or may not have the possibility of going away depending on its cause. The type of treatment – and how early you can get treatment for sleep apnea – also depends on how your sleep apnea was formed. Typically, obstructive sleep apnea does not go away, but its symptoms can be greatly reduced with the aid of medical devices.
Someone may have sleep apnea for biological reasons, such as having a deviated septum or a large tongue, that prevent the condition from ever going away. However, with the right treatment, the symptoms can be greatly reduced. Eventually, the condition will reach a plateau where it will not get worse over time.
Best Treatments for Sleep Apnea
The first step in treating your sleep apnea is to seek out specialized care from your sleep doctor. After diagnosing sleep apnea, it is important to determine the exact cause of your condition. Factors such as heart disease, depression, anxiety, stress, and diabetes can contribute to the likelihood that this condition will form. After figuring out why you are personally experiencing sleep apnea, you may be prescribed one of the following treatments:
Upper Airway Stimulation
Severe cases of sleep apnea may require upper airway stimulation, which is similar to a pacemaker for your heart. The device is surgically implanted in your chest and it helps keep your airways open while you sleep. You will find it easier to breathe at night as your body is no longer under constant strain.
CPAP Device
The most common treatment for sleep apnea is the use of a CPAP machine, which is a mask worn over the mouth and nose during sleep. It releases air steadily into your respiratory system, helping you sleep a lot more soundly. Plus, it will also reduce your symptoms of snoring.
Sleep Apnea Surgery
If all else fails, surgery can be used as a last resort to help keep the airways permanently open. During this specific procedure, a surgeon will remove excess tissue from the throat, and may also remove the tonsils to create as much space for breathing as possible. Each type of sleep apnea surgery is different depending on the patient’s individual needs.
Get Treated for Sleep Apnea Today
Whether or not your sleep apnea symptoms will even completely go away, you can do a lot to improve the way you breathe every night. Your sleep health impacts the rest of your physical and mental well-being. So it’s important to visit your sleep doctor as soon as you can. Learn more about your options for sleep apnea treatment in NYC when you contact us for a personal consultation.
