Obstructive Sleep Apnea

Sleep apnea is common, and most people who have it haven't been diagnosed. It is more common in men, in people with extra weight, and with older age, but it can affect anyone, including women after menopause.

• Obstructive sleep apnea: the airway is blocked by relaxed throat tissue. This is the most common type.
• Central sleep apnea: the brain doesn't send the signal to breathe. It's less common and linked to heart failure, stroke or some medicines.
• OSA is described as mild, moderate or severe based on how many breathing pauses happen each hour.

• Extra weight, especially around the neck
• A narrow airway, large tonsils, or a small or set-back jaw
• Getting older
• Being male, or a woman after menopause
• Family history of sleep apnea
• Alcohol, sleeping pills or sedatives before bed
• Smoking and nasal congestion
• High blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, heart failure or AFib

• Loud snoring
• Someone sees you stop breathing, gasp or choke in your sleep
• Feeling sleepy during the day, even after a full night in bed
• Morning headaches or a dry mouth
• Trouble focusing, memory problems or moodiness
• Waking up often to urinate
• At your visit, your provider checks your weight, neck size and blood pressure, and looks in your mouth and throat at your tonsils, tongue and palate. They also look at your jaw and nose for anything that narrows the airway.

OSA is diagnosed with a sleep study. Many people can do a home sleep test, which we order directly; others need an overnight study in a sleep lab, which we refer out. We review the results with you.

Lab tests are not used to diagnose OSA, but your provider may order tests for related conditions: A1C or blood sugar, a lipid panel, thyroid tests (TSH), and a complete blood count (CBC).

Questionnaires about snoring and sleepiness help decide who needs testing.

These tools are used by clinicians. Bring your results to your visit; they don't replace a medical evaluation.

• STOP-BANG Score ↗ (opens in a new tab)A short questionnaire that estimates the chance of obstructive sleep apnea, to help decide on a sleep test.

• CPAP: a machine that gently blows air through a mask to keep your airway open. It works best when used every night, all night. A mask that fits well makes a big difference.
• Oral appliances: a custom mouthpiece from a dentist that moves the jaw forward, mainly for mild to moderate OSA.
• Weight loss, which can lower the number of breathing pauses. Zepbound (tirzepatide) is FDA-approved for moderate to severe OSA in adults with obesity.
• Sleeping on your side, and avoiding alcohol and sedatives before bed.
• Treating nasal allergies or congestion.
• For some people, a nerve-stimulating implant or surgery on the airway, through a specialist.

OSA is usually long-term, but treatment often helps quickly. Many people sleep better and feel more alert once they use therapy regularly.

Treating OSA may also help blood pressure and heart health. Results vary, and therapy only helps when it's used.

Your primary care team at Moaddel Medical screens for sleep apnea, orders your sleep test, and helps you start and stick with treatment.

We manage related conditions like blood pressure and diabetes and refer you to a pulmonology or sleep partner, or a dentist for an oral appliance, when needed.

We're at 7230 Medical Center Dr, Suite 100, West Hills, CA 91307.