Sleep Apnea & Upper Airway Resistance Syndrome (UARS) Treatment in Greenwich CT

At Sleep & Neuroscience Associates, the leading sleep center in Greenwich, CT, we provide diagnosis and treatment for a wide range of sleep disorders, including obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and upper airway resistance syndrome (UARS) treatment.

Learn more about our sleep apnea and upper airway resistance syndrome (UARS) treatment options below, or schedule an appointment with our sleep apnea doctors and specialists to sleep better and live better today.

What Is Sleep Apnea?

Sleep apnea is a breathing-related sleep disorder characterized by repeated disruptions in normal breathing that can last from a few seconds to over a minute. In most cases, the pauses in breathing are due to an obstruction of the airway. The blocked airway may result in a loud snort or gasp, wake the patient up, and disrupt sleep. Depending on the length and frequency of an episode, an individual may experience substantial oxygen deprivation. Sleep apnea may significantly impact the quality and quantity of one’s sleep.

Types Of Sleep Apnea

Types of sleep apnea include:

Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA)

Obstructive sleep apnea occurs when a patient experiences a partial or complete blockage of the airway during sleep. This is the most common type of sleep apnea. The severity of OSA is based on the number of breathing events per hour of sleep and may be:

• Mild OSA – 5-15 episodes per hour of sleep
• Moderate OSA  – 15-30 episodes per hour of sleep
• Severe OSA – 30+ episodes per hour of sleep

Central Sleep Apnea (CSA)

Central sleep apnea occurs when the brain fails to signal the body to breathe during sleep. This condition is less common than OSA.

Mixed Sleep Apnea (MSA)

Mixed sleep apnea is a combination of both obstructive sleep apnea and central sleep apnea.

What Is Upper Airway Resistance Syndrome (UARS)?

It is commonly believed that sleep apnea begins as subtle airway collapse which may or may not be associated with snoring. This may have a harmful effect on an individual’s health and sleep quality because of chronically disrupted sleep. Upper airway resistance syndrome is a precursor to obstructive sleep apnea, and it is important to identify and treat patients with UARS since they have a higher risk of developing obstructive sleep apnea in the future.

Symptoms Of Sleep Apnea & Upper Airway Resistance Syndrome

Symptoms of sleep apnea and UARS vary from patient to patient. These symptoms include:

• Loud snoring
• Choking or gasping during sleep
• Frequently waking up throughout the night
• Excessive daytime sleepiness
• Unrefreshing sleep
• Morning headaches
• Memory loss
• Trouble concentrating during the day
• Irritability
• Depression
• Mood swings
• Dry mouth or a sore throat when waking up

If you’re experiencing any of these symptoms, schedule an appointment with our sleep specialists for sleep apnea/UARS diagnosis and treatment.

Risk Factors For Developing Obstructive Sleep Apnea & UARS?

You may be more likely to develop sleep apnea or upper airway resistance syndrome if you have the following pre-existing conditions:

• Overweight / obesity
• Narrow airway
• Nasal congestion
• Neck circumference greater than 17 inches

Risk factors may also include:

• Age
• Gender
• Family history of sleep apnea or UARS
• Smoking

Diagnosing Sleep Apnea & UARS

Sleep apnea and UARS are sleep disorders that can be diagnosed at Sleep and Neuroscience Associates. Board-certified sleep specialist and sleep apnea doctor. Our doctors analyzes patient symptoms and concerns to make a diagnosis of sleep apnea or upper airway resistance syndrome. If indicated, a sleep study may be done, during which a patient is monitored for signs of abnormal breathing and oxygenation as they sleep.

Treatments For Obstructive Sleep Apnea & Upper Airway Resistance Syndrome (UARS)

Dour doctors has extensive experience in treating patients with sleep apnea and UARS. Depending on the severity, sleep apnea and UARS treatments include:

• Lifestyle modifications, which may consist of losing weight, quitting smoking, exercising regularly, avoiding alcohol, and other changes based on an individual’s needs.
• Conservative management, mild forms of sleep apnea or UARS may be adequately treated with non-CPAP options, such as positional therapy, medical management, or an oral appliance.
• CPAP, considered the gold standard of treatment for obstructive sleep apnea, can help to stabilize the airway during sleep, thus preventing obstruction.
• CPAP alternatives, which can help to stabilize the airway during sleep, thus preventing an obstruction in patients who have trouble tolerating CPAP. These include surgical and non-surgical options, such as oral appliances.

Schedule A Consultation

If you believe you may be suffering from sleep apnea or UARS, it is important to see a doctor who specializes in sleep medicine in order to properly diagnose and treat your condition. Our doctors are board-certified sleep specialists in CT, who is known for diagnosing and treating all kinds of sleep disorders. Call 203-826-1163 today, or schedule an appointment using this form.