Sleep apnea is a common condition. If left untreated, it increases your risk of having a stroke, developing heart disease and diabetes, and experiencing memory problems. Weight management is important to help prevent sleep apnea. Carrying excess weight can increase your risk of developing sleep apnea. Your ENT specialist can tell you more. The ENT specialists at Ear, Nose, Throat & Allergy Specialists of Northwestern Pennsylvania in Erie, PA, offer comprehensive ENT services, including diagnosis and treatment of sleep apnea.

Weight Management and Sleep Apnea

Sleep apnea is caused by the tissue at the back of your throat relaxing and collapsing while you sleep. The slack tissue can partially or totally block your airway, resulting in:

• Chronic, loud snoring
• Waking up with a headache in the morning
• Having a scratchy, dry, sore throat in the morning
• Waking up suddenly with a gasping or choking sensation
• Daytime grogginess, sleepiness, and difficulty concentrating

Your ENT specialist can discuss weight management options with you, including dietary and exercise modifications, medications, and other methods to help you lose weight. In addition to decreasing the risk of sleep apnea, losing weight has many other important benefits. When you lose weight, you will:

• Breathe more easily
• Have more energy
• Experience lower blood pressure
• Feel better about yourself

Your ENT specialist may recommend a sleep study to determine if you have sleep apnea. The sleep study may be done in a facility or at home, or both. Once a diagnosis of sleep apnea is made, your ENT specialist may recommend two common treatment solutions:

A CPAP machine, which is a device connected to tubing and a mask, which you wear while you sleep. The device delivers a continuous flow of oxygen while you sleep.

An oral mandibular advancement appliance is a small dental appliance that holds your lower jaw forward, keeping your airway open during sleep.

Want To Know More About the Role of Weight Management in Sleep Apnea?

To find out more about why managing your weight is important in the management of sleep apnea, call the ENT specialists at Ear, Nose, Throat & Allergy Specialists of Northwestern Pennsylvania in Erie, PA. You can reach them in the office by calling (814) 864-9994, so call today.