Sleep Apnea Specialist

Steven D. Kushnick, MD Our Services Sleep Apnea
Steven D. Kushnick, MD - - ENT

Steven D. Kushnick, MD

ENT located in Brooklyn, NY

Though snoring is not uncommon, if you snore loudly and wake up feeling tired, you may have sleep apnea. This serious sleep disorder interferes with normal breathing while you sleep and leads to other health complications when left untreated. Ear, nose, and throat (ENT) specialist, Steven D. Kushnick, MD, in the Fort Greene neighborhood of Brooklyn, New York, offers innovative treatments for sleep apnea to improve breathing while you sleep. To schedule an evaluation, call the office or book an appointment online today.

Sleep Apnea Q & A

What is sleep apnea?

Sleep apnea is a common sleep disorder that causes you to stop breathing while you sleep. The pauses in breathing may last seconds or minutes and occur dozens of times during every hour of sleep.

There are three types of sleep apnea:

Obstructive sleep apnea

Obstructive sleep apnea is the most common type. It occurs when the structures in the back of your throat relax and block your airway. 

Central sleep apnea

Central sleep apnea is when your brain fails to send the proper signals to the muscles that control your breathing while you sleep.

Complex sleep apnea syndrome

If you have both obstructive and central sleep apnea, then you have complex sleep apnea syndrome.

What are the symptoms of sleep apnea?

Symptoms of obstructive and central sleep apnea are similar. Common symptoms include:

  • Loud snoring
  • Gasping for air in the middle of the night
  • Waking up with a dry mouth
  • Morning headaches
  • Feeling tired
  • Insomnia
  • Excessive daytime sleepiness
  • Irritability

When left untreated, sleep apnea may increase your risk of developing other health issues such as heart disease, diabetes, or high blood pressure. 

If you suspect you or someone you love has sleep apnea, Dr. Kushnick can help.

What can I expect during a sleep apnea consultation?

When you come in to see Dr. Kushnick with concerns about sleep apnea, he conducts a thorough evaluation so he can provide an accurate diagnosis. During your exam, he reviews your symptoms, performs a physical, and looks for airway constriction in your nose, throat, and lungs. 

For a formal diagnosis, he refers you to a sleep lab for a sleep study. During a sleep study, trained technicians monitor several body functions while you sleep to determine the exact cause and severity of your sleep apnea.

How is sleep apnea treated?

Treatment for sleep apnea depends on the type and severity. For mild sleep apnea, you may be able to manage your symptoms with lifestyle changes such as weight loss, smoking cessation, and changing your sleeping position.

For moderate to severe sleep apnea, you may need continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy, a breathing device that keeps your airway open while you sleep.

Dr. Kushnkick may also recommend surgery for severe obstructive sleep apnea to open up the airway passage. Surgery may include tonsillectomy, adenoidectomy, or repair of a deviated septum.

To schedule your sleep apnea evaluation, call the office of Steven D. Kushnick, MD, or book an appointment online today.

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