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Our Services / Sleep Apnea

Sleep Apnea Specialist

Sleep Apnea

If you’re always tired during the day and feeling foggy or getting headaches, it could be because of sleep apnea. At Arizona Chest & Sleep Medicine in Phoenix, Arizona, Muhammad Raza, MD, and his team review sleep studies to analyze your sleep cycle and diagnose sleep apnea. They also use the results of your sleep study to guide your treatment. To schedule your diagnostic assessment, call Arizona Chest & Sleep Medicine or book online today.  


Sleep Apnea Q & A

What is sleep apnea?

Sleep apnea is a disorder that affects your breathing at night while you’re asleep. Your breathing spontaneously stops and then starts up again, causing pauses in the amount of oxygen that normally enters your body while you sleep. The pauses can last for a few seconds or even over a minute before your breathing resumes with choking, coughing, or snorting.

While many people associate sleep apnea with snoring, not everyone with the condition snores. However, everyone does experience pauses in breathing. Other signs and symptoms include:

  • Fatigue during the day
  • Headaches in the morning
  • Irritability and mood problems
  • Sexual dysfunction
  • Dry mouth or sore throat in the morning
  • Trouble concentrating and forgetfulness
  • Insomnia

Because you’re asleep when your breathing stops, you might not realize it’s happening unless someone else mentions it to you. The daytime symptoms are often the first indication that you may have a sleep disorder. 

Which type of sleep apnea do I have?

There are three types of sleep apnea, which all have the same symptoms and complications. Possible complications of sleep apnea include high blood pressure, depression, stroke, and heart failure. 

The team at Arizona Chest & Sleep Medicine specializes in treating all types of sleep apnea:

Obstructive sleep apnea

Obstructive sleep apnea happens when the tissues in your throat close your airways when you lay down. Individuals with enlarged tonsils and those experiencing weight challenges are at an increased risk. 

Central sleep apnea

Central sleep apnea is less common than obstructive sleep apnea. It happens when your brain stops signaling the involuntary muscles that control your breathing as you sleep. This type can be due to certain medications or medical conditions. 

Mixed sleep apnea

Mixed sleep apnea is a combination of both other types.

How is sleep apnea treated?

Arizona Chest & Sleep Medicine specializes in diagnosing and treating a range of sleep disorders, including sleep apnea, narcolepsy, and restless leg syndrome. 

One of the initial steps in evaluating your sleep disorder is a sleep study. That usually takes place in a specialized center where you stay overnight. Technicians attach painless electrodes to your body to monitor your breathing, heart rate, and brain activity while tracking your sleep cycles. 

If the team diagnoses you with sleep apnea, they treat you based on the type you have. They use the results of your sleep study to identify the best approach to treatment. Treating your sleep apnea may involve:

  • Lifestyle changes
  • Weight loss
  • Nasal decongestants
  • Positional therapy
  • Oral appliances
  • Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) devices

These options manage symptoms of sleep apnea by improving your ability to breathe at night and reduce the associated health risks. 

For more information on sleep apnea treatment options, call Arizona Chest & Sleep Medicine or book an appointment online today.