Everyone snores occasionally—but when loud snoring is paired with morning headaches, chronic fatigue, or restless nights, it may signal something more serious: sleep apnea. This common but often undiagnosed condition causes repeated pauses in breathing during sleep, depriving the body and brain of oxygen and disrupting normal rest cycles.
Understanding Sleep Apnea
Sleep apnea occurs when the airway becomes partially or completely blocked during sleep. The most common form, obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), happens when throat muscles relax too much, collapsing and blocking airflow. Each time this occurs, the body briefly wakes up to restore breathing—often without the person realizing it. Over time, this cycle can happen hundreds of times a night, leading to fragmented, poor-quality sleep.
The Hidden Health Risks
Untreated sleep apnea affects far more than just your energy levels. It has been linked to several serious health concerns, including:
- High blood pressure and heart disease: Repeated oxygen drops strain the cardiovascular system.
- Stroke and diabetes: OSA increases inflammation and insulin resistance.
- Daytime fatigue and cognitive problems: Poor sleep impacts focus, mood, and memory.
- Increased accident risk: Drowsy driving and workplace fatigue are common consequences.
Because these risks can build up quietly over time, many patients are unaware of how significantly sleep apnea affects their health.
How an ENT Can Help
ENT specialists, such as Dr. Ramie A. Tritt of Atlanta ENT, Sinus & Allergy Associates, P.C., are uniquely qualified to evaluate the structural and anatomical causes of sleep apnea. Conditions such as nasal obstruction, deviated septum, enlarged tonsils, or turbinate hypertrophy can all narrow the airway and worsen symptoms.
After a thorough examination—often including nasal endoscopy or imaging—Dr. Tritt may recommend one or more of the following treatments:
- Nasal CPAP (Continuous Positive Airway Pressure): A comfortable, non-invasive option that delivers gentle air pressure through the nose to keep the airway open throughout the night.
- Oral appliances to reposition the jaw and tongue for improved airflow.
- Pillar implants to stiffen the soft palate and reduce vibration and collapse.
- Surgical correction to remove or reshape tissue blocking the airway.
These customized solutions address the root cause of obstruction, improving airflow and restoring restful, restorative sleep.
Reclaim Restful Sleep and Better Health
If you’re tired of feeling tired, it’s time to take action. Proper diagnosis and treatment can dramatically improve your sleep, energy, and overall well-being.
Author
Ramie A. Tritt, MD
Ramie A. Tritt, MD, FRCSC, specializes in nasal and sinus surgery as well as snoring and sleep apnea surgery at Atlanta ENT, Sinus & Allergy Associates, P.C.’s Sandy Springs location in Atlanta, Georgia.
Dr. Tritt graduated from medical school with honors from McGill University in Montreal, Canada. He completed his otolaryngology residency at McGill University and his fellowship in otology and head and neck surgery at Upstate Medical Center in Syracuse, New York.
He is a diplomate of the American Board of Otolaryngology and a fellow of the American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, and the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada. Dr. Tritt is a member of the Medical Association of Georgia and the American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery.
Dr. Tritt has been an instructor at national ENT meetings, a Medical Advisory Board member for computer image-guided sinus surgery, and been recognized by Atlanta Magazine as a “Doctor Who Doctors Go To”.
