Sleep Apnea
Sleep Apnea Care at UVM Health
A prevalent sleep disorder, sleep apnea causes your breathing to stop or become very shallow while you are sleeping. Obstructive sleep apnea, the most common form of the condition, results from the relaxing of upper airway tissues and muscles that block necessary oxygen from entering your lungs. Pauses in breathing may last 10 to 20 seconds or more and happen many times an hour, at times, leading you to wake up gasping for air.
Sleep apnea sufferers are often unaware that they have the disorder. But left undiagnosed or untreated, sleep apnea can prevent you from getting a good night’s sleep which may make you tired and less alert during the day and could lead to long-term cardiovascular problems.
Why Choose UVM Health?
At University of Vermont Health, we provide sleep apnea care through our sleep medicine program, which is accredited by the American Academy of Sleep Medicine. We offer you expert diagnosis and sleep apnea treatment that meets the highest standards in the field of sleep care.
We are committed to improving your health and quality of life through better sleep. We offer:
- Team approach: Ensuring you (or your child) receive the most comprehensive care available, our sleep specialists regularly collaborate with physicians trained in otolaryngology (ENT), neurology, pulmonary medicine, mental health and pediatrics. Together, these experts work to accurately assess the potential causes of your sleep apnea for the most targeted treatment.
- Advanced technology: Our state-of-the-art sleep labs are equipped with advanced diagnostic tools to determine whether you have sleep apnea and, if so, how severe it is. When appropriate, we offer portable devices for Home Sleep Apnea Testing (HSAT) that monitor any breathing pauses while you sleep in the comfort of your own bed.
- Specialized staff: Registered polysomnographic technologists with extensive experience performing diagnostic sleep apnea tests monitor and record your nighttime sleep patterns. These dedicated onsite professionals assist you throughout your overnight sleep study, with your comfort and ease always their highest priority.
- Customized therapies: At UVM Health, you will have access to the full range of therapeutic options available for treating your sleep apnea. Our sleep specialists create a treatment strategy tailored specifically to your needs, from simple lifestyle changes to implanted breathing devices.
Signs and Symptoms of Sleep Apnea
People of all ages can develop sleep apnea. Because many symptoms of sleep apnea occur while you are sleeping, you may not even be aware. Significant others and roommates are often the first to notice your sleep apnea symptoms.
Common signs and symptoms include:
- Excessive daytime drowsiness
- Chronic fatigue
- Difficulty concentrating
- Morning headaches
- Loud snoring or snorts
- Choking or gagging sounds
- Dry mouth
- Waking up multiple times
- Pauses in breathing during sleep (witnessed by others)
- Gasping for air at night
Diagnosing Sleep Apnea
If you are waking up multiple times a night struggling to breathe or experiencing other disrupted sleep symptoms, your provider may refer you to our full-service sleep apnea program for an expert evaluation.
The diagnostic tests our experienced sleep specialists typically perform for sleep apnea include:
- Initial consultation: Discuss your sleep apnea symptoms and medical history.
- An overnight sleep lab study: Also called a polysomnogram, this study is used to definitively diagnose your sleep disorder. The gold standard test for sleep apnea, polysomnography sleep studies allow us to monitor your brain activity, eye movements, muscle tone, heart rate and rhythm, and breathing patterns while you sleep.
- At-home sleep studies: For overnight testing in the convenience and comfort of your own home is appropriate for some people.
Sleep Apnea Treatment
At UVM Health, we offer the latest solutions for treating your sleep apnea, including:
- Behavioral changes (such as weight loss and sleep positions)
- Physical and mechanical devices, such as CPAP machines
- Implanted devices, such as hypoglossal nerve stimulators that enhance neuromuscular tone in the upper airway to improve sleep apnea symptoms
- Surgery for enlarged tonsils and adenoids that are obstructing the airway
Locations Near You
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206 Cornelia Street
Suite 104
Plattsburgh, NY 12901
133 Park Street
Malone, NY 12953
111 Colchester Avenue
Main Campus, West Pavilion, Level 4
Burlington, VT 05401
111 Colchester Avenue
Main Campus, West Pavilion, Level 4
Burlington, VT 05401-1473
111 Colchester Avenue
Burlington, VT 05401-1473
1 South Prospect Street
Arnold, Level 2
Burlington, VT 05401-3456
116 Porter Drive
Middlebury, VT 05753-1419
32 Malletts Bay Avenue
Winooski, VT 05404-1959
