Treating Sleep Apnea for a Better Night’s Sleep

When you think of bettering your health, the focus tends to be on exercising and eating nutritious food. “People forget that getting good quality sleep plays a vital role in your overall health,” says Sonya L. Merrill, MD, PhD, FACP, Sleep Medicine Physician at Cooper Clinic. “People don’t value or prioritize sleep—it’s seen as an afterthought. Sleep is the foundation on which good health is built. Diet and exercise cannot be as successful if you are exhausted.”

Having interrupted or poor-quality sleep can contribute to numerous medical conditions such as:

• High blood pressure
• Coronary artery disease
• Diabetes
• Obesity
• Impaired immune system
• Dementia

But what causes someone to have poor sleep? Dr. Merrill explains there are several reasons. “Pain can be a significant reason why someone isn’t able to sleep well, including back pain, joint pain and headaches. Urinary frequency also can wake you up multiple times throughout the night.” Environmental factors such as sleeping with the television on and sleeping with pets and children can disturb sleep. Substances such as caffeine, nicotine, alcohol and some medications are other factors.

Sleep Apnea

Undiagnosed sleep disorders such as sleep apnea can negatively impact sleep. Sleep apnea is a condition where an individual experiences repeated interruptions in air flow due to collapse of the upper airway. Symptoms include:

• Snoring
• Gasping
• Pauses in breathing or irregular breathing
• Night sweats
• Nocturia (urinary frequency at night)
• Daytime sleepiness
• Mood changes
• Forgetfulness
• Fatigue

Dr. Merrill shares, “Obstructive sleep apnea occurs because there is a decrease in muscle tone during sleep; the tongue and upper airway muscles relax, so the airway blocks partially or completely for 10 seconds or longer at a time.”  An individual’s anatomy contributes to the risk of obstructive sleep apnea. “Those who have small, crowded upper airways are more at risk, as well as people who are obese,” says Dr. Merrill.

Sleep Studies

If you struggle with symptoms of sleep apnea, the next step is to take a sleep test. At Cooper Clinic, we offer both at-home and in-lab studies.

• Home Sleep Apnea Test (HSAT): performed at home with a device that tracks your breathing while you sleep
• Polysomnography: an in-lab sleep study conducted by a sleep technologist to obtain comprehensive, accurate information about breathing as well as other aspects of sleep including sleep stages and limb movements

Dr. Merrill explains the differences and benefits of each test to help you determine the best option for you in our Considering a Sleep Study? Which One is Best for You? article.

Treating Sleep Apnea

The “gold standard” treatment for sleep apnea is continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP). A CPAP machine generates a continuous flow of pressurized air which keeps the airway from collapsing. CPAP typically reduces the number of apnea episodes by 90% or more.

Another treatment option is an oral appliance; this type of dental device moves the lower part of the jaw forward to stabilize and open the airway mechanically. A hypoglossal nerve stimulator implant may be an option for patients who are unable to tolerate CPAP. Finally, the FDA recently approved Zepbound (tirzepatide) to facilitate weight loss in obese patients with moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnea.

In addition to these treatments, Dr. Merrill also recommends 10 Tips for Better Sleep to help you establish a healthy sleep routine.

Bettering your sleep can do wonders for your health, both mentally and physically.

Cooper Clinic offers a comprehensive range of sleep medicine services—including lab-based studies and in-home testing. Visit the Cooper Clinic Sleep Medicine web page to learn more or call 866.906.2667.