Sleep Apnea
What It Is and How It’s Treated
Sleep apnea is a common condition that affects millions of Americans, but many who have it remain undiagnosed. If you or someone you know snores loudly, wakes up feeling exhausted, or periodically stops breathing while sleeping, it may be more than just a restless night.
At Peak ENT and Voice Center, we evaluate and treat sleep apnea using a full range of options, from lifestyle changes and CPAP therapy to advanced surgical treatments.
Featured Sleep Apnea Treatment
Inspire® therapy is a mask-free alternative to CPAP
Inspire® therapy is an innovative, advanced FDA-approved treatment for adults with obstructive sleep apnea who have struggled with CPAP. A small implantable device works inside the body to keep the airway open during sleep. No mask, no hose.
Available at Peak ENT and Voice Center. No mask or hose • Small implantable device • FDA-approved
Is It Snoring, or Is It Sleep Apnea?
Snoring and sleep apnea are not the same thing, though they often appear together. Snoring is the sound of your breathing vibrating relaxed throat tissue. Sleep apnea is a medical condition in which breathing repeatedly stops and starts during sleep. These pauses are called apnea events, and they prevent the body from getting the oxygen it needs and will disrupt the sleep cycle.
Snoring
- Vibration of throat tissue
- Breathing continues uninterrupted
- May or may not indicate a medical problem
Sleep Apnea
- Breathing repeatedly stops and starts
- Body is briefly deprived of oxygen
- A diagnosable medical condition requiring evaluation
What Is Obstructive Sleep Apnea?
Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is the most common type of sleep apnea. It occurs when the tongue relaxes back into your airway during sleep, causing your airway to close. When your airway closes, your body triggers you to wake up and gasp for air. When you have OSA, this cycle happens repeatedly, preventing you from getting the quality sleep you need, which can cause further medical problems.
Open Airway
Closed Airway
Signs and Symptoms of Sleep Apnea
Sleep apnea symptoms are often dismissed or attributed to other causes. Because many events happen during sleep, partners and family members are usually the first to notice.
Nighttime symptoms
Loud Snoring
Witnessed pauses in breathing (reported by a bed partner)
Gasping or choking during sleep
Restless sleep
Daytime symptoms
Excessive daytime sleepiness
Morning headaches
Difficulty concentrating
Irritability or mood changes
Why Sleep Apnea Shouldn’t Be Left Untreated
When you have OSA, you’re at a higher risk for serious health concerns like type 2 diabetes, stroke, heart attack, depression, and a shortened life span. Nearly 1 in 3 people with sleep apnea go untreated, increasing risk of these conditions.
Image courtesy of Inspire Medical Systems, Inc.
80% of people with sleep apnea remain undiagnosed.
Sleep apnea cases are projected to grow 35% by 2050.
Treatment Options for Sleep Apnea
Treatments for OSA include lifestyle changes, CPAP, oral appliances, and surgery. The right option depends on the type and severity of your condition, your anatomy, and your treatment history. Your provider will help you find the approach that fits you best.
Non-Surgical Options
Lifestyle Changes
- Weight management
- Changing sleep positions
- Avoiding alcohol and sedatives before bed
- Treating nasal congestion or allergies
CPAP Therapy (Continuous Positive Airway Pressure)
CPAP is the most commonly prescribed treatment for moderate to severe OSA. It delivers pressurized air through a mask to keep the airway open during sleep. While some experience symptom relief with CPAP, it doesn’t work for about 50% of people.
- Effective when used consistently
- Requires nightly mask wear
- About half of patients struggle with long-term adherence
Oral Appliances
Custom-fit oral devices reposition the jaw or tongue to help keep the airway open during sleep. These are often considered for patients who cannot tolerate CPAP.
- Worn like a mouthguard during sleep
- Fitted by a dentist or sleep specialist
Surgical Options
For patients whose sleep apnea is related to specific anatomical factors, surgical options may be considered. Your ENT specialist will evaluate your airway to determine which approach is best for you.
Tonsil Removal (Tonsillectomy)
Enlarged tonsils can contribute to airway obstruction. Removing them may reduce or resolve sleep apnea in appropriate candidates.
Palate Surgery (Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty - UPPP)
UPPP removes or reshapes excess tissue in the throat to widen the airway. It addresses soft tissue obstruction at the back of the throat.
Nasal Airway Surgery (Septoplasty and Turbinate Reduction)
When nasal obstruction contributes to sleep apnea or makes CPAP difficult to tolerate, surgery to improve the nasal airway may be recommended. Septoplasty corrects a deviated septum, and turbinate reduction addresses enlarged structures inside the nose that can restrict airflow.
Advanced Implant Therapy
For patients whose sleep apnea is related to specific anatomical factors, surgical options may be considered. Your ENT specialist will evaluate your airway to determine which approach is appropriate.
Inspire® Upper Airway Stimulation Therapy
For patients with moderate to severe OSA who have tried CPAP without success, Inspire therapy is a mask-free solution that works inside the body to treat the root cause of OSA.
- No mask, no hose
- Small implantable device
Available at Peak ENT and Voice Center
Struggled With CPAP?
There May Be Another Option.
If you have moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnea and CPAP hasn’t worked for you, Inspire® therapy may be the next step. Peak ENT and Voice Center offers comprehensive Inspire evaluation and treatment.
Sleep Apnea Care at Peak ENT and Voice Center
At Peak ENT and Voice Center, our specialists diagnose and treat the full spectrum of airway and sleep-related conditions. We guide patients through evaluation, treatment, and follow-up care.
We provide:
- Comprehensive sleep apnea evaluation
- Full range of medical and surgical treatment options
- Inspire® therapy evaluation and implantation
- Long-term follow-up and care
- Locations in Denver, Golden, Broomfield, and Brighton
Are You Ready for Better Sleep?
If CPAP therapy hasn’t worked for you, Inspire therapy may offer a life-changing alternative.
Ready to see if you qualify for Inspire therapy?
A consultation is your best way to determine eligibility.
