Understanding Sleep Apnea: Diagnosis and Treatment
Cedar County Memorial Hospital offers solutions for sleep apnea sufferers
January 8, 2026 — Cedar County Memorial Hospital (CCMH) is helping community members achieve better sleep and improved health through comprehensive sleep disorder evaluation and treatment.Sleep apnea affects an estimated 30 million American adults, yet many remain undiagnosed. This condition causes breathing to repeatedly stop and start during sleep, preventing the body from receiving a healthy amount of oxygen. Each breathing pause can last from seconds to minutes and may occur numerous times throughout the night, disrupting restorative sleep and potentially leading to serious health complications.
Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) occurs when throat muscles relax during sleep, causing airway blockage. Common symptoms include loud snoring, gasping during sleep, excessive daytime fatigue, and waking feeling unrested despite adequate sleep time.
"Sleep apnea often goes unnoticed because its most obvious symptoms occur while you're asleep," noted CCMH pulmonologist Grant Pierson, DO. "If your partner notices pauses in your breathing or irregular breathing patterns as you sleep, that's a strong indicator you need to be evaluated for a sleep disorder."
Diagnosis and Testing
Diagnosis typically begins with a medical evaluation where healthcare providers assess symptoms, medical history, and risk factors such as obesity, large neck circumference, or family history of sleep disorders.
The CCMH Sleep Lab administers sleep studies, or polysomnograms (PSGs), considered the gold standard for diagnosing sleep-related breathing disorders. Patients spend the night in a specially equipped room where experienced technicians monitor oxygen levels, eye movement, airflow, snoring, brain waves, leg movement, and heart activity. All studies performed at CCMH are interpreted by certified sleep specialists. Results are then shared with the patient's primary healthcare provider.
Treatment Options
Treatment approaches vary based on severity. For mild cases, lifestyle modifications may suffice, including weight loss, avoiding alcohol before bedtime, and sleeping on one's side rather than back.
Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) is the most common and effective treatment for OSA. The device delivers steady pressurized air through a mask worn during sleep, keeping airways open and preventing breathing interruptions. For those who cannot tolerate CPAP or have mild to moderate OSA, oral appliances offer an alternative. These custom-fitted devices reposition the lower jaw or tongue to keep the airway open during sleep.
Surgical options may be considered when other treatments prove ineffective. Hypoglossal nerve stimulation, a newer approach, uses an implanted device to stimulate nerves controlling tongue muscles, preventing airway blockage during sleep.
Why Treatment Matters
Untreated sleep apnea extends beyond poor sleep quality. The condition significantly increases risks for cardiovascular problems including high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, and irregular heart rhythms. It can also contribute to type 2 diabetes, cognitive impairment, and dangerous daytime drowsiness that raises accident risks.
"No two systems are more closely dependent upon each other than the respiratory and circulatory systems," emphasized Dr. Pierson. "When sleep apnea deprives your body of oxygen repeatedly throughout the night, these small episodes add up, potentially causing serious damage to your heart."
Effective treatment can dramatically improve outcomes. Patients often report better energy levels, improved concentration, reduced snoring, and better overall health.
If you experience persistent snoring, daytime fatigue despite adequate sleep time, or witnessed breathing pauses during sleep, consulting a healthcare provider is an important step toward protecting your health and reclaiming restful sleep. For more information about sleep studies at CCMH, contact the Respiratory Therapy department at 417-876-3573.