Did you know that 56% of people over age 65 have a high risk of developing obstructive sleep apnea? Characterized by repeatedly stopping breathing during sleep, this common condition can pose potentially devastating health risks, especially for Florida’s elderly population.
In this article, we’ll explore the importance of treating sleep apnea in elderly patients and introduce the range of advanced remedies available at ENT Associates of Florida.
Health Implications of Sleep Apnea for Elderly Patients
Untreated sleep apnea has several health implications for people of all ages. Unfortunately, these implications can be particularly destructive for elderly patients and include:
- Increased risk of death
- Cognitive decline, memory problems, and difficulty focusing
- Daytime drowsiness
- Vascular disease, including hypertension, stroke, and cardiac arrest
- Depression and other mental health concerns
- Cancer risk
Treating Sleep Apnea in Florida’s Elderly Population
Thankfully, Floridians have access to many state-of-the-art sleep apnea treatments at ENT Associates. Options include CPAP, coblation, and Inspire® Therapy.
- Nasal CPAP, or continuous positive airway pressure, is a well-known sleep apnea remedy that delivers air to the airway through a special nasal mask or pillow. It provides a flow of air that creates enough pressure to open your airway when you inhale. CPAP is generally regarded as the best non-surgical treatment for obstructive sleep apnea.
- Coblation is a simple surgical procedure that treats sleep apnea by disintegrating tissue one layer at a time. This stiffens the palate and opens up the airways.
- Inspire® Therapy is an exciting treatment option for sleep apnea in Florida. It’s the only FDA-approved implantable treatment for individuals with obstructive sleep apnea who can’t use CPAP. It’s a pacemaker-like device that’s implanted into the right side of the neck and chest wall to stabilize the throat and gently stimulate the throat muscles. This keeps the airway open during sleep.
The expert physicians at ENT Associates are here to help you manage obstructive sleep apnea with today’s more advanced treatment options. Schedule your appointment today!
