Enjoy a Good Night’s Rest Again with Sleep Apnea Treatment
If you are always exhausted and never feel like you get enough sleep, you may have a condition called sleep apnea. If your throat or nasal cavity gets blocked as you are sleeping, you will not be able to breathe properly and might wake up suddenly trying to catch your breath. Untreated sleep apnea can be hazardous to your health which is why you should see a doctor if you are exhibiting any symptoms.
Dr. Jennifer Smith Ellis offers sleep apnea treatment options and can help reduce chronic snoring and other sleep problems.
What is Sleep Apnea?
Sleep apnea is considered to be a serious sleep disorder since it can lead to a number of health problems, disability, and even death. Loud snoring is just one of the symptoms for sleep apnea. If you are making choking noises or stop breathing entirely for certain periods of time while sleeping, you could be at risk for developing serious health problems. Sleep apnea requires a medical diagnosis and treatment is usually a combination of lifestyle changes and use of a breathing device.

Symptoms
Some of the most common symptoms of sleep apnea include:
- Daytime sleepiness
- Insomnia
- Nightmares
- Sleep deprivation
- Snoring
- Loud breathing
- Dry mouth
- Dry throat or sore throat
- Headaches upon waking
- Mood swings
- Weight gain
Risk Factors
Males over the age of 40 are at a higher risk of developing sleep apnea. You may be at a higher risk of developing sleep apnea if you have:
- Excess weight
- Family history of sleep apnea
- Alcohol dependency
- Been using sedatives or tranquilizers to get to sleep
- Smoking history
Dr. Ellis may recommend an oral appliance or continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machine as part of your treatment plan. Lifestyle changes, such as losing weight or avoiding alcohol, can help to restore healthy sleep patterns.