Inspire Sleep Apnea Implant in Columbia SC & the Midlands

SCENT diagnoses and treats sleep apnea in Columbia, SC, and the Midlands. Care starts with a sleep evaluation and, when needed, a sleep study to identify what's interrupting your breathing.

Loud snoring, breathing pauses at night, or trouble staying awake during the day are reasons to talk with a sleep specialist. Your results help guide treatment, which may include CPAP therapy, an oral appliance, or a surgical evaluation.

What Is Sleep Apnea?

Sleep apnea causes breathing to repeatedly stop and restart during sleep. These interruptions can lower oxygen levels and disrupt sleep, even when you don't remember waking up. You may spend a full night in bed and still feel tired the next day.

Untreated sleep apnea can affect concentration and increase the risk of health problems such as high blood pressure. An evaluation can help identify the cause and the right treatment.

Types of Sleep Apnea

Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA)

Obstructive sleep apnea is the more common type. It happens when the upper airway narrows or becomes blocked during sleep, limiting airflow even though your body is trying to breathe.

Central Sleep Apnea

Central sleep apnea happens when the brain doesn't send the signals needed to maintain breathing. Its causes and treatment differ from OSA, which is one reason identifying the type of sleep apnea matters.

Sleep Apnea Symptoms

A partner may notice breathing changes before you do. Signs in adults to discuss with your doctor include:

• Loud, frequent snoring
• Pauses in breathing or waking up gasping
• Daytime sleepiness, even after enough time in bed
• Morning headaches
• Trouble focusing or remembering things

Children can show different daytime signs. Some become overactive or have difficulty paying attention; others are sleepy. Snoring and observed breathing pauses are also reasons to ask about an evaluation.

What Causes Sleep Apnea?

With OSA, the size and shape of the airway can affect how easily air moves during sleep. Enlarged tonsils or a large tongue can contribute to blockage. Excess weight can also increase risk, but people who aren't overweight can have sleep apnea.

Age and family history also play a role. Alcohol can relax airway muscles and worsen obstruction. Central sleep apnea has different risk factors, including certain medical conditions and opioid medicines. Your clinician will review your health history and medications.

How Is Sleep Apnea Diagnosed?

Your visit starts with questions about your sleep and daytime symptoms. Bring observations from a partner, if available, along with your medication list. Your doctor may examine your airway and use questionnaires to help decide whether you need testing.

Body mass index is a measure based on height and weight; hypertension means high blood pressure. Screening questionnaires help assess risk or sleepiness. They can't diagnose sleep apnea. A sleep apnea test is needed to confirm the diagnosis.

Sleep Study (Polysomnography)

An overnight sleep study in a lab records breathing, oxygen levels and other measures while you sleep. It provides information about sleep stages and can help your doctor assess conditions beyond obstructive sleep apnea.

SCENT offers in-lab testing through its sleep medicine program. Your clinician will explain which test fits your symptoms and medical history.

Home Sleep Apnea Test

A home sleep study may be appropriate for some adults with suspected OSA who don't have complicating medical conditions. Your clinician orders the test and reviews the results. Home testing isn't the right choice for everyone.

If a home test is negative, unclear or incomplete and sleep apnea is still suspected, an in-lab study is recommended.

Sleep Apnea Treatment Options

Treatment depends on your type of sleep apnea, its severity, and your health. The options below primarily address OSA. Central sleep apnea requires a plan that accounts for its underlying cause.

CPAP Therapy

Continuous positive airway pressure, or CPAP, delivers air through a mask to help keep your airway open while you sleep. SCENT provides CPAP services and equipment support. If you're struggling with your mask or pressure settings, tell your care team so they can help address the problem.

Inspire Implant

SCENT also offers Inspire therapy for eligible patients with OSA who can't use or consistently benefit from CPAP. This implanted device stimulates a nerve that helps move the tongue and keep the airway open during sleep. A separate evaluation determines eligibility.

Oral Appliance Therapy

A custom oral appliance can help keep the airway open by holding the lower jaw or tongue forward. It may be an option for selected people with OSA, including those who can't tolerate CPAP. Your sleep clinician can discuss whether evaluation for a fitted appliance is appropriate.

Surgical Options

When your sleep disorder cannot be treated with medicine or other therapies, various surgical procedures may be used to provide relief. An ENT evaluation can help determine whether an airway problem could be addressed surgically. The procedure depends on where the airway is blocked and other findings from your evaluation.

Lifestyle Changes

Your clinician may also discuss weight management, limiting alcohol or changing sleep position when appropriate. Follow-up helps determine how well your treatment is working.

Sleep Specialists in Columbia, SC & the Midlands

SCENT's sleep medicine program serves Columbia and the Midlands and includes in-lab and home testing. Dr. Robert Puchalski directs Innovative Sleep Solutions and brings training in both ENT care and sleep medicine to the evaluation of breathing problems during sleep.

Seeing a sleep apnea specialist also gives you a chance to discuss symptoms that may have another cause.

Frequently Asked Questions About Sleep Apnea