Sleep Apnea Care at Arizona Pulmonary Specialists

What Is Sleep Apnea?

Sleep apnea is a common yet serious sleep disorder in which breathing repeatedly stops and starts during sleep. It occurs when the upper airway becomes temporarily blocked, often due to the tongue and throat muscles relaxing too much. These repeated pauses in breathing can lower oxygen levels, disrupt sleep, and strain the heart over time.

Sleep apnea affects as many as 10% of the adult population in the United States. Risk factors include:

• Being overweight
• Family history of sleep apnea
• Large tonsils or a recessed jaw
• Alcohol consumption or sedative use before bed
• Sleeping on your back

If left untreated, sleep apnea can contribute to serious health conditions such as high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, diabetes, and daytime fatigue leading to increased accident risk.

Sleep Apnea Symptoms

Sleep apnea symptoms can vary, but common signs include:

• Loud snoring
• Gasping or choking during sleep
• Pauses in breathing observed by a bed partner
• Excessive daytime sleepiness
• Difficulty concentrating or memory problems
• Morning headaches
• Dry mouth or sore throat upon waking
• Irritability or mood changes
• Nighttime sweating
• Frequent nighttime urination

As the condition worsens, sleep apnea may lead to complications such as high blood pressure, heart arrhythmias, and swelling in the legs and abdomen due to fluid retention.

Diagnosis of Sleep Apnea

A sleep study (polysomnography) is the gold standard for diagnosing sleep apnea. This test is conducted in a sleep lab, which your doctor will provide a referral to.

During an in-lab sleep study, you will spend the night monitored by sensors that track:

• Brain activity
• Breathing effort and airflow
• Oxygen levels
• Heart rate
• Muscle movement

People are often concerned that they will not be able to sleep during the tests. In our experience, this is rarely a problem.

Treatment of Sleep Apnea

The primary treatment for sleep apnea is Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) therapy. CPAP delivers a gentle stream of air through a mask to keep the airway open throughout the night.

If sleep apnea is detected during your sleep study, your doctor may recommend a CPAP study, where different air pressures are tested to determine the optimal treatment settings. Modern CPAP devices are quieter, more comfortable, and adjustable for individual needs.

Additional treatment options may include:

• Oral appliance therapy – Custom dental devices that reposition the jaw and tongue to keep the airway open; recommended for mild to moderate cases
• Positional therapy – Adjusting sleep positions to prevent airway obstruction, especially for those who experience apnea primarily while sleeping on their backs
• Weight loss and lifestyle modifications – Losing excess weight, avoiding alcohol or sedatives
• Surgery – Procedures such as tonsillectomy, jaw realignment, or Inspire therapy (a small implant that stimulates airway muscles) may be options for severe or CPAP-intolerant cases.

For severe, life-threatening cases that do not respond to other treatments, a tracheostomy (creating an opening in the neck for breathing) may be considered.

Why Choose Arizona Pulmonary Specialists?

• Expertise in complex sleep apnea – Specialized care for patients with obstructive and central sleep apnea
• Advanced diagnostic tools – Coordination with sleep labs to conduct sleep studies
• Personalized treatment plans – Tailored solutions based on individual symptoms and needs
• Seamless, coordinated care – Collaboration with sleep specialists, dentists, and cardiologists to provide comprehensive treatment

Physicians Specializing in Sleep Apnea

At Arizona Pulmonary Specialists, we have several physicians that specialize in complex sleep apnea. Our team of doctors, nurses, and respiratory therapists will work with you to ensure that you understand your diagnosis and treatments.