Unlocking Rest: The Journey Through Causes and Innovative Treatments for Sleep Apnea

What is sleep apnea—and why it matters

Sleep apnea is a condition where breathing repeatedly slows or stops during sleep. The most common form, obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), happens when the upper airway narrows or collapses. Left untreated, sleep apnea can raise the risk of high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, mood changes, and daytime sleepiness that affects safety and productivity.

Types of sleep apnea

• Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA): Airflow is blocked when throat tissues relax or the airway is narrow.

• Central Sleep Apnea (CSA): The brain’s breathing signals are irregular, so breathing pauses occur without an airway blockage.

• Complex or Mixed Sleep Apnea: A combination of obstructive and central features.

Common causes and risk factors

• Anatomy that narrows airflow (large tonsils, long soft palate, small jaw, nasal obstruction)

• Excess weight, which adds soft tissue around the airway

• Sleeping on your back, alcohol or sedatives before bed, and smoking

• Nasal allergies or chronic congestion

• Family history, increasing age, and post-menopausal status

Signs you might have sleep apnea

• Loud, persistent snoring with pauses in breathing

• Gasping or choking awakenings

• Morning headaches, dry mouth, or sore throat

• Daytime fatigue, trouble concentrating, irritability

• Drowsy driving or falling asleep unintentionally

Diagnosis: the necessary first step

Accurate diagnosis guides the right treatment. Most patients start with a sleep study—either a home sleep apnea test (HSAT) or an in-lab polysomnogram—to measure breathing events per hour (Apnea–Hypopnea Index, or AHI) and determine severity. When CPAP is difficult or surgery is considered, Drug-Induced Sleep Endoscopy (DISE) helps map where the airway narrows during sleep so treatment can be precisely targeted.

A stepwise, personalized treatment plan

1. 1

   Lifestyle changes: Weight management, side sleeping, limit alcohol/sedatives before bed, treat nasal allergies.

2. 2

   CPAP therapy: First-line for many with moderate to severe OSA; keeps the airway open with gentle air pressure.

3. 3

   Oral appliance therapy: A custom device that advances the lower jaw to reduce airway collapse—helpful for mild to moderate OSA or CPAP intolerance.

4. 4

   Positional and nasal therapies: Strategies and medications that reduce back-sleeping and improve nasal airflow.

5. 5

   Airway procedures: Selected nasal, tonsil, or palate procedures to improve airflow when anatomy contributes to blockage.

6. 6

   Hypoglossal nerve stimulation (Inspire Therapy): An implantable device that synchronizes tongue movement with breathing for appropriate candidates who cannot tolerate CPAP.

7. 7

   Care for central sleep apnea: Coordinated with sleep medicine specialists; treatment targets the underlying cause and may include specialized devices.

CPAP: still the gold standard for many

CPAP is highly effective when used consistently. Comfort can often be improved with the right mask style, humidification, and fit adjustments. If CPAP feels cumbersome despite troubleshooting, we will discuss alternatives without compromising your safety or results.

Oral appliance therapy

A custom mandibular advancement device gently positions the jaw forward to keep the airway open. It is most effective for mild to moderate OSA and in patients who cannot tolerate CPAP. We coordinate with qualified dental sleep specialists to ensure proper fit and follow-up sleep testing.

Positional and nasal therapies

Sleeping on your side, addressing nasal allergies or congestion, and using evidence-based positional strategies can meaningfully reduce snoring and milder OSA. Nasal steroid sprays, saline rinses, and targeted allergy treatment can improve comfort with CPAP and overall nighttime breathing.

Inspire Therapy: a modern option when CPAP isn’t a fit

Inspire is a small, implantable system that senses your breathing and gently activates the hypoglossal nerve to move the tongue forward, helping keep the airway open. It is turned on with a handheld remote at bedtime and off in the morning. Candidacy typically includes a confirmed diagnosis of obstructive sleep apnea, difficulty tolerating CPAP, appropriate body mass index range, and DISE showing the right pattern of airway collapse. Inspire is not intended for central sleep apnea. Most patients go home the same day and return for device fine-tuning and follow-up sleep testing.

Who may be a candidate for Inspire

• Age 18+ with a recent sleep study confirming obstructive sleep apnea

• Tried CPAP but cannot use it consistently despite support

• DISE shows no complete circumferential collapse at the soft palate

• Body mass index within current approved guidelines

• Overall health suitable for outpatient surgery

What about sleep apps and wearables?

Consumer sleep trackers can estimate patterns and support healthy habits, and CPAP devices provide adherence data. However, these tools do not diagnose sleep apnea. If you snore loudly, have witnessed pauses in breathing, or feel excessively sleepy during the day, a formal sleep study is the right next step.

Why see Dr. Kristin Egan for sleep apnea care

Dr. Kristin Egan is dual board-certified in Otolaryngology (ENT) and Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. In the Manhattan Beach office, she evaluates the full airway, performs DISE when appropriate, and designs stepwise plans that may include lifestyle measures, CPAP optimization, oral appliances, targeted procedures, and Inspire Therapy when indicated. Care is personalized and evidence-based, with ongoing follow-up to confirm results.

Locations and how to schedule

Sleep apnea evaluations and ENT services are offered in our Manhattan Beach and Torrance locations. We proudly serve Manhattan Beach, Hermosa Beach, Redondo Beach, El Segundo, Torrance, the Palos Verdes area, and the surrounding Beach Cities. Ready to breathe—and sleep—better? Contact us to schedule a consultation.