Snoring and Sleep Apnea

Sleep apnea is characterized by an interruption in breathing during sleep. People with this disorder may stop breathing up to hundreds of times during the night, often for a second or two at a time. Symptoms of sleep apnea include:

• Snoring
• Interruption in breathing patterns during sleep
• A feeling of being tired and not getting enough sleep

Diagnosis of sleep apnea will characterize what kind of problem you have. Obstructive sleep apnea is the more common of the two kinds. This is where the back of the throat collapses, obstructing breathing. Central sleep apnea is the less common version of the condition. This is where there is no obstruction of breathing, but the central nervous system fails to signal the lungs to keep breathing during sleep due to some kind of instability in the respiratory system.

Since 2006, Dr. Halpin has been certified in the treatment of snoring and sleep apnea through the use of oral appliances. He works carefully to diagnose and treat each patient individually. Our clinic shares referrals back and forth with Dr. Robin LeBlanc, ENT to ensure that our patients are easily referred out if they require a sleep study.