Sleep & Snoring

Ear Conditions and Treatments

Sleep disorders are common conditions that affect the quality and duration of sleep, leading to difficulties in falling asleep, staying asleep, or waking up refreshed. These disorders can arise from various factors, including changes in brain function, neurotransmitter imbalances, stress, anxiety, depression, and poor sleep habits. Insufficient sleep can significantly impact daily life, making it challenging to complete everyday activities and affecting overall well-being.

Some common sleep disorders include:

Snoring: Snoring is a common condition, especially in men, which can be an isolated problem or be associated with significant airway obstruction or obstructive sleep apnea. We can help navigate this problem and give you options, both medical and surgical, to improve snoring in order to improve quality of sleep and decrease annoyance in your bed partner.
Sleep Apnea: This condition can be caused by airway obstruction (obstructive sleep apnea) or failure of the diaphragm to move (central sleep apnea). As apnea means “no breath” in Latin, patients experience a stoppage of breathing during the night which is witnessed by a bed partner or patients aware gasping for air. Ruling this condition out is important as untreated sleep apnea increases the risk of motor vehicle collisions, high blood pressure, heart attack, heart failure, and stroke. We provide comprehensive evaluations and treatment options to address these concerns.
Narcolepsy: Narcolepsy is a neurological disorder that causes excessive daytime sleepiness and sudden sleep attacks, which can last from a few seconds to over 30 minutes. This condition can significantly impact daily activities and overall safety.
Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS): RLS causes uncomfortable sensations in the legs and feet, often accompanied by an irresistible urge to move them. This can disrupt sleep and lead to persistent leg movement while awake, impacting overall restfulness.

Treatment Options:

At Bridger ENT, we understand the importance of quality sleep for overall health. Our approach to treating sleep disorders may include:

Lifestyle Modifications: Recommendations for establishing healthy sleep habits, such as setting a consistent sleep routine, exercising regularly, and avoiding stimulants like caffeine, nicotine, and alcohol.
Surgical Interventions: For some patients, they may be candidates for nasal airway improvement surgeries such as septoplasty which may help improve the usage and effectiveness of CPAP.
Sleep Studies: In most cases, we recommend a sleep study to monitor sleep patterns and diagnose specific sleep disorders accurately. Fortunately, modern technology allows most of these studies to be performed at home.

If you are experiencing difficulties with sleep or snoring, our experienced team at Bridger Ear, Nose and Throat is here to help you regain restful sleep and improve your quality of life.