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Although snoring and sleep apnea may seem to be minor annoyances, snoring and
other sleep disorders can have a big impact on your
health. Snoring can also be a sign of a more serious
problem, such as obstructive sleep apnea. Dr. Menachof
will perform a complete examination and may recommend
an overnight test at one of the sleep disorder labs in Denver, Colorado to evaluate your snoring
and breathing patterns.
Our sleep services include comprehensive evaluation and treatment of:
Snoring
Obstructive sleep apnea
Pediatric sleep apnea
Learn more:
Recognizing When There's a Problem
What Causes Snoring?
What is Obstructive Sleep Apnea?
RECOGNIZING WHEN THERE'S A PROBLEM
If you experience one or more of the following symptoms, call Advanced Ear, Nose & Throat for a complete evaluation.
Chronic tiredness
Falling asleep at the wheel
Morning headaches
Snoring
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WHAT CAUSES SNORING?
Snoring occurs when floppy tissue in the airway relaxes during sleep and vibrates. For most of our snoring patients from Colorado, their condition is caused by an enlarged soft palate and uvula at the back of the mouth, although the tongue, tonsils, adenoids and congested nasal passages can also contribute to the sound. The level of snoring can be aggravated by excess weight, alcohol intake, sleeping pills, smoking and poor sleep.
For simple snoring (those who don’t have sleep apnea), there is a minimally invasive, minimal-downtime procedure available in our office that has shown very good results. Called radiofrequency treatment of the palate, this procedure shrinks excess tissue to the upper airway, including the palate. It is done using a local anesthetic in the office. You can drive yourself to the office after work, have the procedure done, drive yourself home, and be back at work bright and early the next morning.
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WHAT IS OBSTRUCTIVE SLEEP APNEA?
When loud snoring is interrupted by frequent episodes of totally obstructed breathing, it is known as obstructive sleep apnea. Serious episodes last more than ten seconds each and occur more than seven times per hour. Apnea patients may experience 30 to 300 such events per night. These episodes can reduce blood oxygen levels, causing the heart to pump harder. The immediate effect of sleep apnea is daytime fatigue. In order to keep you breathing, your brain never lets you get into the deeper stages of sleep, where most of our true rest occurs. Because the snorer does not get a good night’s rest, he or she may be sleepy during the day, which impairs job performance and often makes it dangerous to drive. After many years with this disorder, elevated blood pressure and heart enlargement may occur.
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