Sleep Apnea in Los Angeles, CA

 Sleep apnea (or pauses in your breathing due to the collapse of the muscles at the back of your throat) is so much more than really loud snoring, as it is caused by an obstructed or narrowed airway. When you have sleep apnea, your body is not getting the oxygen it needs. Not being able to get a good night's sleep can be a challenge when you struggle with sleep apnea. Our board-certified physician in pulmonary, internal, sleep, and geriatric medicine, Dr. Abraham "Avi" Ishaaya, knows this all too well as he is an experienced sleep apnea doctor and has treated sleep disorders for more than 20 years in the Los, Angeles, CA area.

At his private practice at Dr. Avi Ishaaya Centers, he can evaluate problematic sleeping and breathing issues through sleep apnea consultations. He also offers comprehensive sleep testing in his state-of-the-art, fully accredited sleep lab. If you do have sleep apnea, Dr. Ishaaya will discuss with you the different sleep apnea treatment options, including a sleep apnea appliance like positive airway pressure (PAP) therapy, which is the gold standard in the treatment of sleep apnea. We also treat this condition with automatic positive airway pressure (APAP) devices and accessories, which we will customize to your needs. Call today for a consultation.

How you take in a breath (through your mouth or nose) can impact the air you take into your body. When there are obstructions to your breathing or airways, your sleep can be compromised. Even though both ways of breathing can result in sleep apnea, there are treatments for both available. Of course, we treat patients with mild-to-moderate symptoms and all levels of severity. Recognizing the signs and symptoms of sleep apnea is one of the areas of medicine that Dr. Ishaaya is specialized in. He will assess:

Your weight
Obese patients are at a high-risk for sleep apnea, but it does not rule out the condition for patients at a healthy weight. Dr. Ishaaya will take your weight into consideration, but it is not the only factor in diagnosing sleep apnea.

Your disruptive sleep and snoring (chronic and/or loud)
You may wake up in the middle of the night gasping for air or snore so loudly that no one can sleep in the same bed as you. Waking up out of breath can be scary, especially for a child.

Broken nose sleep apnea

An injury to the nose causing a break or fracture in the nasal septum, or the bone that divides the nostrils, can affect your nasal passageways leading to sleep apnea.

Your age and family history
Typically, older patients (especially men) are more likely to be diagnosed with sleep apnea. Also, sleep apnea can also run in your family. It is best to have things checked out when you notice the signs.

You are always sleepy
Children and adults alike can experience daytime sleepiness when they are not resting well because of sleep apnea. You may feel like you want to nap in the afternoon or immediately after returning home from work or school.

Embracing an effective sleep apnea treatment not only restores restful sleep but also significantly improves overall health and well-being. By addressing the root cause of interrupted breathing during sleep, patients in Los Angeles, CA can receive the following benefits:

• Enhanced daytime alertness.
• Reduced risk of cardiovascular issues.
• Improved cognitive function.
• Lowered blood pressure.
• Enhanced overall quality of life.

Patients who suffer from severe sleep apnea aren't great candidates for a dental-based remedy. In these circumstances, a CPAP machine may be one of the best choices. However, if you have a mild to moderate snoring issue, a dental remedy might be exactly what you want. Sleep apnea may be dangerous because it stops you from breathing hundreds of times each night as the cells in your soft palate and throat collapse. When this happens, your airway is blocked, preventing oxygen from getting to your organs or brain. So, needless to say, it's vital to have it properly diagnosed and treated using the best solutions.

Patients with risk factors should be screened and tested for sleep apnea. Insomnia, or chronic sleeplessness, as well as sleep apnea, increase your risk of developing fatal conditions including:

• Hypertension
• Stroke
• Depression
• Obesity
• Heart disease
• Diabetes

There are definitely risks to ignoring your symptoms of sleep apnea. Not only will you (and anyone who sleeps in the same room) not get quality sleep, you may have trouble with poor work or school performance.

After your appliance has been created at the high-tech dental lab, you will be ready for a fitting. Dr. Avi Ishaaya Centers will call you to schedule your follow-up appointment. Dr. Ishaaya will adjust and fit it according to your feedback to get it as comfortable as possible. He will make sure to allow ample time to help you learn about your sleep apnea device, including how to clean, store, and maintain it. Dr. Ishaaya will want you to bring your device to future appointments and come back every year to check for wear and tear. Your quality of life should dramatically improve if you follow our directions properly.

Dr. Ishaaya provides comprehensive sleep testing either in his state-of-the-art, fully accredited sleep lab or with our award-winning home sleep test device. If you do have sleep apnea, Dr. Ishaaya will discuss your different treatment options. Our staff will explain the test before we provide it to you and will be available to answer any questions you may have. Due to certain medical conditions, in-lab testing may be required. We are committed to your success and health.

Yes. This is called a pediatric sleep apnea condition. If a child presents symptoms of sleep apnea, it is best to have that checked out as early in his or her life as possible. Over time, the lack of oxygen can interrupt physiological and psychological development. It is better to have it checked out when symptoms present themselves. We customize treatment based on the patient's needs and this goes for young patients, too.

How common is sleep apnea?

According to research published on obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), as many as 9% of adults are affected by sleep apnea. However, it did mention that many cases of sleep apnea go undiagnosed, possibly increasing the total number of sleep apnea sufferers.

What are the risk factors for sleep apnea?

The most common risks for developing sleep apnea include:

• Being overweight or obese
• The physical structure of the nasal passageways, mouth, tongue, and throat
• Having broken your nose
• Alcohol and cigarette use
• Genetics (family history)
• Back sleeping
• Nasal congestion

What happens if sleep apnea is left untreated?

While many people may think it only affects your sleep, sleep apnea can cause a litany of issues if left untreated. These can include severe problems, such as high blood pressure, stroke, heart failure, irregular heartbeats, and heart attacks. For this reason, it's incredibly important to seek out a diagnosis if you think you might be suffering from sleep apnea.

What are the types of sleep apnea?

There are three distinct types of sleep apnea: obstructive, central, and mixed. As the name implies, obstructive sleep apnea occurs when there is a blockage of the airway. This is also the most common form of sleep apnea. Central sleep apnea, on the other hand, stems from the brain failing to successfully tell the muscles to breathe. Lastly, mixed sleep apnea is a combination of both of these problems.

How is sleep apnea diagnosed?

Typically, sleep apnea is diagnosed through a process known as nocturnal polysomnography. This is a test in which the patient is connected to advanced equipment that monitors their heart, lung, and brain activity, as well as their breathing patterns, arm and leg movements, and blood oxygen levels while they sleep. This information can give us an idea of what exactly might be causing issues during your sleep.

Ready to get started on the road to better sleep? Call us or schedule an appointment online with us at Dr. Avi Ishaaya Centers in Los Angeles, CA. Don't let the impact of sleep apnea take away your quality of life from the loss of sleep and/or contributing health problems. Have an assessment with and experienced snoring doctor, Dr. Ishaaya, today. We can help you find solutions to meet your needs on a personalized level.