What Is Sleep Apnea?
Sleep apnea is a serious sleep disorder in which breathing repeatedly stops and starts during sleep. These pauses in breathing — called apneas — can last from seconds to minutes and may occur dozens or even hundreds of times per night, preventing restorative sleep and significantly impacting health.
Sleep apnea is one of the most common chronic conditions in the United States, affecting an estimated 22 million Americans — the majority of whom remain undiagnosed. Left untreated, sleep apnea is associated with serious health consequences including high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes, depression, and motor vehicle accidents caused by daytime drowsiness.
Types of Sleep Apnea
- Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) — the most common form; caused by physical blockage of the airway when throat muscles relax during sleep
- Central Sleep Apnea (CSA) — caused by the brain failing to send proper signals to the muscles that control breathing
- Complex/Mixed Sleep Apnea — a combination of obstructive and central sleep apnea
Sleep Apnea Symptoms
- Loud, chronic snoring
- Witnessed pauses in breathing during sleep (reported by a bed partner)
- Gasping, choking, or sputtering during sleep
- Waking with a dry mouth or sore throat
- Morning headaches
- Excessive daytime sleepiness (hypersomnia)
- Difficulty concentrating or memory problems
- Irritability, mood changes, or depression
- Frequent nighttime urination (nocturia)
- Insomnia or restless sleep
Many people with sleep apnea do not know they have it. If a partner or family member has noticed that you stop breathing during sleep, this is a strong indicator that a sleep study is warranted.
Diagnosing Sleep Apnea at CSCC
CSCC offers two primary diagnostic options for sleep apnea:
In-Laboratory Polysomnography (PSG)
An overnight sleep study conducted at one of our 11 AASM-accredited sleep centers. A registered polysomnographic technologist monitors your sleep, breathing, oxygen levels, heart rate, brain activity, and body movements throughout the night. PSG is the gold standard for diagnosing sleep apnea and can detect all types of sleep-disordered breathing.
Home Sleep Apnea Test (HSAT)
For appropriate candidates, a home sleep apnea test allows patients to complete a simplified diagnostic study in the comfort of their own home. Our team provides instructions and reviews your results with you at a follow-up appointment.
Sleep Apnea Treatment Options at CSCC
CPAP Therapy (Continuous Positive Airway Pressure)
CPAP therapy is the most widely prescribed and most effective treatment for moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnea. A CPAP machine delivers a continuous stream of pressurized air through a mask, keeping the airway open during sleep. CSCC has an on-site CPAP center where our specialists help patients find the right equipment, master proper mask fit, and troubleshoot compliance challenges.
Oral Appliance Therapy (OAT)
Oral appliance therapy uses a custom-fitted dental device worn during sleep that repositions the jaw to keep the airway open. OAT is effective for mild to moderate obstructive sleep apnea and is a preferred alternative for patients who cannot tolerate CPAP. CSCC is the only sleep center in the Washington, DC area with on-site sleep dentists who can prescribe and fit oral appliances — and bill through your medical insurance.
Inspire® Upper Airway Stimulation
Inspire is an FDA-approved implantable device for patients with moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnea who have not responded to CPAP therapy. The device monitors breathing patterns and delivers mild stimulation to the hypoglossal nerve, keeping the airway open during sleep. CSCC offers evaluation for Inspire candidacy.
Positional Therapy
Some patients have sleep apnea that primarily occurs when sleeping on their back (positional OSA). Positional therapy devices or strategies can significantly reduce apneas in these patients.
Weight Management Counseling
For patients with obesity-related sleep apnea, weight loss can meaningfully reduce apnea severity. CSCC providers incorporate weight management guidance into comprehensive treatment plans.
Sleep Apnea in Children
Pediatric sleep apnea affects a significant number of children and can cause behavioral problems, academic difficulties, bed-wetting, and developmental delays. Children with sleep apnea may not snore loudly — symptoms can be subtler than in adults. CSCC performs pediatric sleep studies and provides specialized treatment for children of all ages.
Frequently Asked Questions — Sleep Apnea
How is sleep apnea diagnosed?
Sleep apnea is diagnosed through a sleep study — either an in-lab polysomnography (PSG) or a home sleep apnea test (HSAT). A physician reviews the results and provides a diagnosis based on your Apnea-Hypopnea Index (AHI), which measures the number of breathing disruptions per hour of sleep.
Can sleep apnea go away on its own?
In most cases, sleep apnea is a chronic condition that does not resolve without treatment. Weight loss, positional changes, or treating underlying conditions may reduce severity, but most patients require ongoing treatment to achieve adequate control.
Is sleep apnea dangerous?
Yes. Untreated sleep apnea is associated with high blood pressure, heart disease, atrial fibrillation, stroke, type 2 diabetes, depression, and significantly increased risk of motor vehicle accidents. Effective treatment reduces these risks substantially.
What is the difference between CPAP and an oral appliance for sleep apnea?
CPAP delivers pressurized air via a mask to keep the airway open and is the most effective treatment for moderate to severe sleep apnea. An oral appliance is a custom dental device that repositions the jaw to prevent airway obstruction — it is quieter, more portable, and preferred by many patients with mild to moderate sleep apnea or CPAP intolerance. CSCC offers both and can help you determine which is right for you.
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Get Evaluated for Sleep Apnea Today
If you or someone you love may have sleep apnea, don’t wait. Contact Comprehensive Sleep Care Center to schedule a consultation. Call (703) 429-0398 or visit comprehensivesleepcare.com. Telemedicine appointments available.