Sleep apnea is a common sleep-related breathing disorder in which breathing repeatedly stops and starts during sleep. It can cause loud snoring, gasping or choking during sleep, frequent awakenings, morning headaches, daytime sleepiness, difficulty concentrating, and poor-quality sleep. If left untreated, sleep apnea can affect overall health and quality of life. Sleep apnea treatment in Mumbai focuses on identifying the underlying cause of disrupted breathing and selecting an appropriate treatment based on the severity and type of sleep apnea.
Dr. Shama Kovale, a senior ENT specialist at Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital, Mumbai, provides evaluation and management of sleep-related breathing and ENT conditions. A detailed assessment can help determine whether nasal obstruction, enlarged tonsils, airway anatomy, obesity, or other factors are contributing to sleep-disordered breathing.
Sleep apnea can occur in different forms, with obstructive sleep apnea being the most common. It occurs when the upper airway becomes partially or completely blocked during sleep. Central sleep apnea, which involves reduced or absent signals from the brain that control breathing, is less common and requires a different approach.
The first step in sleep apnea treatment in Mumbai is an appropriate evaluation. The doctor may ask about snoring, witnessed breathing pauses, daytime sleepiness, sleep patterns, nasal symptoms, weight changes, and other relevant medical concerns.
Depending on the symptoms, a sleep study may be recommended to assess breathing patterns, oxygen levels, heart rate, and other parameters during sleep.
People with sleep apnea may experience: