Snoring & Sleep Apnea Center

People who snore loudly are often the target of bad jokes and middle of the night elbow thrusts; but snoring is no laughing matter.

Snoring & Sleep Apnea Center

People who snore loudly are often the target of bad jokes and middle of the night elbow thrusts; but snoring is no laughing matter.

Snoring and Sleep Apnea Center Treatment Options

While loud disruptive snoring is at best a social problem that may strain relationships, for many men, women and even children, loud habitual snoring may signal a potentially life threatening disorder: Obstructive Sleep Apnea, or OSA.

Those who have OSA are often unaware of their condition and think they sleep well. The symptoms that usually cause these individuals to seek help are daytime drowsiness or complaints of snoring and breathing cessations observed by a bed partner.

Snoring Is Not Necessarily Sleep Apnea

It is important to distinguish between snoring and OSA. Many people snore. It’s estimated that approximately 30% to 50% of the US population snore at one time or another, some significantly. Everyone has heard stories of men and women whose snoring can be heard rooms away from where they are sleeping.

Snoring of this magnitude can cause several problems, including marital discord, sleep disturbances and waking episodes sometimes caused by one’s own snoring. But, snoring and sleep apnea does not always equal OSA; sometimes it is only a social inconvenience. Even a social inconvenience can require treatment, and there are several options available at our Snoring and Sleep Apnea Center.

Dothan Sleep Doctors

Otolaryngology

Timothy Gannon, MD

University Of Alabama, Medicine

Common Diagnosis & Symptoms

Sleep Apnea

Snoring with pauses in breathing (apnea)
Excessive daytime drowsiness
Gasping or choking during sleep
Restless sleep
Problem with mental function
Poor judgment/can’t focus
Memory loss
Quick to anger
High blood pressure
Nighttime chest pain

Nasal Congestion

Common Sleep Apnea Tests

Nocturnal Polyson.

During this test, you’re hooked up to equipment that monitors your heart, lung and brain activity, breathing patterns, arm and leg movements, and blood oxygen levels while you sleep.

At-Home Sleep Test

Your doctor might provide you with simplified tests to be used at home to diagnose sleep apnea. These tests usually measure your heart rate, blood oxygen level, airflow and breathing patterns.