Sleep Apnea Treatment

Sleep Apnea Overview

Sleep apnea syndrome is characterized by multiple interruptions in breathing during sleep. Most commonly caused by a blockage in the airway, apneas can last from a few seconds to a minute and occur multiple times throughout the night, leading to disrupted sleep and reduced oxygen. Sleep apnea can be very serious as the lack of oxygen and sleep can contribute to cardiovascular issues (heart attack and stroke), memory loss, depression and irritability.

According to the American Academy of Sleep Medicine, less than 10% of adults experience sleep apnea but it is likely underdiagnosed due to a lack of awareness and the subtlety of symptoms, which can often be mistaken for other conditions.

Signs of Sleep Apnea
Risk Factors for Sleep Apnea
Sleep Apnea Treatment
Our Multidisciplinary Approach
Choose Hattiesburg Clinic

Signs of Sleep Apnea

Loud snoring
Stopping breathing during sleep, often noticed by another person
Gasping for air during sleep
Awakening with a dry mouth or sore throat
Morning headache
Difficulty staying asleep (insomnia)
Excessive daytime sleepiness (hypersomnia)
Difficulty paying attention while awake

Risk Factors for Sleep Apnea

Obesity: Excess weight can cause fatty deposits around the upper airway, obstructing breathing.
Neck circumference: A thicker neck may have a narrower airway.
Narrowed airway: Inherited traits or enlarged tonsils/adenoids can narrow the airway.
Being male: Men are more likely to have sleep apnea than women.
Older age: The risk increases with age.
Family history: A family history of sleep apnea increases risk.
Use of alcohol, sedatives or tranquilizers: These substances relax the muscles in the throat.
Smoking: Smokers are more likely to have sleep apnea.
Nasal congestion: Difficulty breathing through the nose can be a risk factor.
Medical conditions: Conditions such as high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes and heart failure can increase risk.

At Hattiesburg Clinic, our sleep medicine providers will diagnose sleep apnea through an overnight study in our sleep lab. Once sleep apnea is confirmed, the most common treatment is a Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) machine to provide a constant stream of air through a mask, keeping the airway open during sleep. For those who cannot tolerate a CPAP machine, BiPAP and APAP machines can adjust air pressure for more custom night-time treatment.

Hattiesburg Clinic offers private equipment service and an automatic resupply program for replacement CPAP supplies to help you get a better night’s sleep.

eXciteOSA Treatment for Sleep Apnea

We offer a new daytime treatment for sleep apnea called eXiteOSA. eXciteOSA is a small, handheld device with a mouthpiece that delivers small electrical pulses to stimulate the tongue and upper airway. Used for 20 minutes a day while awake, the machine helps to strengthen the tongue and airway muscles, and clinical studies have shown it greatly reduces the likelihood of airway collapse during sleep. eXiteOSA is recommended for patients with mild obstructive sleep apnea or those who snore but do not have sleep apnea. eXciteOSA offers a promising alternative for managing sleep apnea and snoring, particularly if you prefer a non-invasive and convenient treatment option.

Our Multidisciplinary Approach

If you have sleep apnea as a symptom of an underlying condition, our sleep medicine providers can easily work with pulmonologists, endocrinologists, cardiologists and weight management providers within the Hattiesburg Clinic network to provide comprehensive care.

Choose Hattiesburg Clinic

Our sleep medicine experts at Hattiesburg Clinic offer several sleep apnea and snoring treatments, including CPAP machines and eXciteOSA. If you are experiencing snoring, dry mouth or obstructive sleep apnea, do not let it go untreated. Call our team today.

Sleep Apnea

Sleep Apnea Overview

Signs of Sleep Apnea

Risk Factors for Sleep Apnea