The loud snoring from your bedroom might signal something far more serious than just a noisy night. Sleep apnea stops your breathing repeatedly throughout the night, often without you knowing it. These pauses can last from seconds to minutes, happening up to dozens of times every hour you’re asleep.
At our Brooklyn, New York, office, Stephen Kushnick, MD, diagnoses the cause of your breathing pauses and treats the root problem before it leads to serious health complications.
The morning headaches and constant fatigue have real physical causes. When sleep apnea repeatedly interrupts your breathing, you may notice:
These symptoms happen because your sleep gets fragmented by the constant breathing interruptions, preventing restful sleep cycles.
Untreated sleep apnea increases your risk of serious cardiovascular problems. When oxygen levels repeatedly drop during sleep, your body experiences stress that can lead to heart disease, high blood pressure, and other serious complications that can affect your long-term health.
Dr. Kushnick starts with a thorough evaluation of your symptoms and examines your nose, throat, and airways for potential obstructions. For a definitive diagnosis, he refers you to a sleep lab where trained technicians monitor your body functions during sleep to determine exactly what’s happening and how severe your condition is.
Treatment options vary based on the type and severity of your sleep apnea. For mild cases, lifestyle changes often help — losing weight, quitting smoking, or changing your sleeping position can improve the condition.
Sometimes, lifestyle changes aren’t enough to effectively treat sleep apnea. If you’re still experiencing concerning symptoms, Dr. Kushnick may recommend:
For moderate to severe sleep apnea, Dr. Kushnick may recommend continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy. This device delivers gentle air pressure through a mask while you sleep, keeping your airway from collapsing.
When sleep apnea stems from physical airway obstructions, surgery might provide the best solution. Dr. Kushnick may recommend procedures like tonsillectomy, adenoidectomy, or repair of a deviated septum to open up blocked passages.
If you suspect you or someone you love has sleep apnea, don’t wait for complications to develop. Dr. Kushnick and our experienced team provide comprehensive evaluation and treatment options tailored to your specific condition.
Call our Brooklyn, New York, office at 718-250-8520 today, or use our online booking tool to schedule an appointment for complete testing at your convenience.
