Have you been feeling unrested even after getting a full night’s sleep? Do you find yourself choking or gasping for air in the middle of the night? Are you having a difficult time concentrating during the day?
If any of these sound familiar to you, you might be suffering from sleep apnea. Obstructive sleep apnea is a condition that causes the soft tissues of your throat to collapse and block your airways — leaving you gasping for air while you sleep.
If you suspect you have sleep apnea, you’re probably wondering how you can get tested and diagnosed. Once you’ve recognized sleep apnea symptoms, you need to connect with a physician that can provide you with the ideal treatment to alleviate your symptoms. Each of the following types of doctors can help you get one step closer to treating obstructive sleep apnea.
Primary Care Doctor
The first doctor most people speak to about the possibility of having sleep apnea is their primary care doctor. Because most individuals have a regularly scheduled annual physical with their general practitioner, it’s convenient to bring up any sleep apnea indicators, such as snoring, headaches, dry mouth, lack of focus, and other symptoms. Your primary care doctor will determine if they can provide you with the necessary treatment, or they’ll refer you to a specialist.
Sleep Specialist
With a referral from your primary care doctor, your next step might be to visit a sleep specialist with years of training focusing on sleep disorders, including sleep apnea. With their specialized background in sleep medicine, they’ll be able to recommend a variety of treatments that can alleviate your symptoms. Depending on the cause of your sleep apnea, your sleep medicine doctor may recommend you visit an ear, nose, and throat specialist.
Ear, Nose, and Throat Doctor
In some instances, sleep apnea can be caused by an abnormality or disease that involves your head and face structures. If the cause of your obstructive sleep apnea is because of your facial structure, enlarged tonsils, a small airway, or another abnormality, an ENT doctor can help determine how to treat your case best.
Dentist
It may come as a surprise, but some dentists can provide treatment for sleep apnea as well! With a background in sleep disorders, dentists can resolve problems with your mouth or jaw that might be causing your sleep apnea. For instance, a dentist can provide you with a dental device to relieve jaw pressure that might be causing a blockage in your airway. In most cases, a dentist will work hand-in-hand with a sleep specialist to ensure you’re receiving the optimal treatment.
ApneaMed Provides At-Home Sleep Apnea Testing
If you suspect that you might be suffering from sleep apnea, you must get tested to get the necessary treatment. ApneaMed provides you with everything you need to administer a home sleep study and get a diagnosis without leaving the comfort of your home.
We deliver the sleep apnea test with instructions, so you feel comfortable and confident administering it on your own. Throughout the night, the device will record your blood oxygen levels, heart and breathing rates, and how often your body moves so a board-certified sleep physician can analyze the results.
Following your at-home sleep apnea test, ApneaMed will provide you with a recommended treatment, such as AutoPAP therapy, to resolve your sleep apnea symptoms — helping you get a good night’s sleep.
If you have any questions about ApneaMeds’ at-home sleep apnea test or our sleep apnea treatment equipment, contact our team to learn more.