Sleep Apnea Treatment

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a serious medical condition in which the soft tissues of the throat repeatedly collapse during sleep, blocking airflow for ten seconds or longer at a time. Each apneic episode causes oxygen levels in the bloodstream to drop, triggering a micro-arousal that disrupts sleep architecture — often hundreds of times per night — without the patient being aware.

Left untreated, OSA is independently associated with hypertension, heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes, cognitive impairment, and significantly increased mortality risk. At The Center for Sinus, Allergy, & Sleep Wellness, Dr. David C. Brodner — double Board-Certified in Otolaryngology and Sleep Medicine — provides comprehensive, individualized sleep apnea treatment for patients throughout Boynton Beach, FL and South Florida.

Call (561) 735-8750 to schedule your evaluation today.

During normal sleep, the muscles of the throat relax — but in patients with OSA, this relaxation allows the soft tissues of the airway to collapse inward, physically blocking the passage of air. The brain detects the oxygen drop and sends an emergency arousal signal, briefly waking the patient enough to restore muscle tone and reopen the airway — then sleep resumes, and the cycle begins again.

This can happen five to hundreds of times per hour, robbing patients of restorative deep sleep and placing chronic physiological stress on the cardiovascular and metabolic systems.

Approximately 8% of men and 4% of women are estimated to have obstructive sleep apnea. Risk factors include:

• Obesity — excess fatty tissue narrows the throat airway
• Anatomic abnormalities — enlarged tonsils, enlarged tongue, excess soft palate tissue
• Family history of sleep apnea
• Neuromuscular disorders affecting throat muscle tone
• Sleeping on your back
• Use of alcohol or sedative medications
• Male sex and increasing age
• Nasal obstruction — forcing mouth breathing and increasing airway collapse risk

Because apnea events occur during sleep, many patients are unaware they have OSA. Common symptoms include:

• Loud, disruptive snoring — often the first symptom noticed by a bed partner
• Observed episodes of stopped breathing during sleep
• Waking with a gasping or choking sensation
• Excessive daytime sleepiness despite adequate time in bed
• Waking feeling unrefreshed after sleep
• Morning headaches
• Difficulty concentrating and memory problems
• Mood changes, irritability, or depression
• Frequent nighttime urination

If you or your bed partner have noticed any of these symptoms, prompt evaluation at The Center for Sinus, Allergy, & Sleep Wellness is strongly recommended. Call (561) 735-8750 today.

Medical studies consistently demonstrate that untreated obstructive sleep apnea significantly increases mortality risk. The chronic overnight oxygen drops and sleep fragmentation associated with OSA place continuous physiological stress on the heart, blood vessels, and brain. Untreated OSA is independently associated with increased risk of high blood pressure, heart attack, stroke, atrial fibrillation, type 2 diabetes, cognitive decline, and fatigue-related motor vehicle and workplace accidents.

Getting an accurate diagnosis and starting effective treatment is not just about sleeping better — it is a matter of long-term health and safety.

Dr. Brodner’s dual board certification in Sleep Medicine and Otolaryngology positions him uniquely to evaluate sleep apnea from both a physiological and anatomical perspective. At your initial evaluation, he performs a comprehensive physical examination — including flexible fiberoptic endoscopy to fully visualize the inside of the throat and identify sites of airway obstruction.

He then orders a sleep study (polysomnogram) to accurately confirm the presence, type, and severity of sleep apnea. Once diagnosed, Dr. Brodner personally reviews your sleep study and designs a personalized treatment plan based on your OSA severity and individual anatomy.

Lifestyle Modifications

For mild OSA, targeted lifestyle changes can meaningfully reduce apnea severity. Weight loss — even 10 to 20% — can significantly improve or even resolve sleep apnea in appropriate patients by reducing the fatty tissue mass narrowing the throat. Positional therapy (avoiding sleeping on your back), and avoiding alcohol and sedating medications are also important first steps that Dr. Brodner incorporates into every treatment plan.

CPAP Therapy

Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) remains the most effective non-surgical treatment for moderate to severe OSA. A CPAP machine delivers a continuous stream of pressurized air through a mask worn over the nose and sometimes mouth during sleep, preventing the tissues from collapsing and maintaining a clear airway.

When used properly, CPAP resolves sleep apnea in nearly 100% of patients. The key challenge is consistent nightly use — CPAP must be worn all night, every night to remain effective. Dr. Brodner moderates a monthly CPAP Support Group at The Center for Sinus, Allergy, & Sleep Wellness to help patients navigate equipment options, troubleshoot comfort issues, and share experiences — providing the ongoing support that makes the difference between CPAP success and failure.

Oral Appliance Therapy

For patients with mild to moderate OSA who cannot tolerate CPAP, custom-fitted oral dental appliances that reposition the jaw and tongue forward — maintaining a more open airway during sleep — are a viable alternative. Dr. Brodner evaluates anatomy to determine whether oral appliance therapy is appropriate for a given patient’s OSA severity and jaw structure.

eXciteOSA® Tongue Muscle Therapy

For mild to moderate OSA related to low tongue muscle tone, eXciteOSA® is an FDA-cleared daytime therapy device that strengthens tongue musculature through 20-minute daily neuromuscular stimulation sessions — reducing nighttime airway collapse without any device worn during sleep.

Surgical Treatment

Surgery is considered when weight loss has been attempted, and the patient cannot tolerate or chooses not to use CPAP. Dr. Brodner is experienced in multi-level surgical approaches that address the specific anatomical abnormalities causing airway obstruction in each patient. Surgical options include:

• UvuloPalatoPharyngoPlasty (UPPP) — Removes the uvula, trims excess soft palate tissue, and widens the airspace at the back of the throat. UPPP is successful in eliminating snoring in 90–95% of patients. Dr. Brodner has developed a refined variation of this procedure using PEAK technology, which operates at very low heat to reduce tissue damage and minimize post-operative pain.
• Tonsillectomy — When enlarged tonsils contribute to airway obstruction, removal as part of a multi-level procedure can significantly improve OSA severity.
• Tongue reduction — For severe OSA with an oversized tongue contributing to blockage, tongue muscle reduction using low-heat radiofrequency technology reduces bulk with less pain and swelling than traditional approaches.
• Nasal procedures — Correcting nasal obstruction through septoplasty, turbinate reduction, or polyp removal maximizes nasal airflow and can improve CPAP tolerance or reduce OSA severity. Vivaer® and Coblation® Turbinate Reduction are available as minimally invasive in-office alternatives.
• Tracheotomy — Reserved for patients with extremely severe OSA not amenable to other treatments, bypasses the areas of collapse entirely. This is rarely performed but remains an option for the small number of patients for whom it is the only effective solution.

What is obstructive sleep apnea and how serious is it?

Obstructive sleep apnea is a condition in which the throat airway repeatedly collapses during sleep, causing breathing to stop for ten seconds or longer at a time. Each episode drops blood oxygen levels and triggers a micro-arousal disrupting sleep architecture. Untreated OSA is independently associated with hypertension, heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes, cognitive decline, and significantly increased mortality risk. It is a serious medical condition that warrants prompt evaluation and treatment.

How is sleep apnea diagnosed at The Center for Sinus, Allergy, & Sleep Wellness?

Dr. Brodner performs a comprehensive physical examination including flexible fiberoptic endoscopy of the throat, then orders a sleep study (polysomnogram) to confirm diagnosis and measure OSA severity. He personally reviews the sleep study and designs your individualized treatment plan. Call (561) 735-8750 to schedule your evaluation at The Center for Sinus, Allergy, & Sleep Wellness today.

Does CPAP cure sleep apnea?

CPAP does not cure sleep apnea — it controls it. When worn properly every night, CPAP prevents apnea events by maintaining a continuous positive pressure that keeps the airway open during sleep. It resolves sleep apnea symptoms in nearly 100% of patients who use it consistently.

However, the moment CPAP use stops, apnea events return. For patients seeking a more permanent solution, surgical options are available at The Center for Sinus, Allergy, & Sleep Wellness.

What if I cannot tolerate CPAP?

CPAP intolerance is common and well-recognized. Options for patients who cannot tolerate CPAP include oral appliance therapy for mild to moderate OSA, eXciteOSA® tongue muscle therapy, and a range of surgical procedures targeting the specific anatomical cause of airway collapse. Dr. Brodner’s CPAP Support Group also helps many patients overcome common CPAP challenges. Call (561) 735-8750 to discuss alternatives.

Can nasal congestion worsen sleep apnea?

Yes. Nasal obstruction forces mouth breathing during sleep, which significantly increases the likelihood of airway collapse and worsens OSA severity. It also reduces CPAP effectiveness by making it harder to maintain a comfortable seal. Treating nasal obstruction — through Vivaer®, Coblation® Turbinate Reduction, or allergy treatment — can improve both sleep apnea outcomes and CPAP tolerance.

What is the CPAP Support Group at The Center for Sinus, Allergy, & Sleep Wellness?

Dr. Brodner moderates a monthly CPAP Support Group at The Center for Sinus, Allergy, & Sleep Wellness designed to help patients navigate CPAP therapy successfully. Group meetings discuss the latest CPAP technology, troubleshoot common comfort and compliance challenges, and allow patients to share experiences and practical advice. The group is open to The Center for Sinus, Allergy, & Sleep Wellness patients managing CPAP therapy. Call (561) 735-8750 for information on the next session.

How do I know if I need surgery for sleep apnea?

Surgical treatment is generally considered when non-invasive options — including CPAP and oral appliances — have been tried and either failed or are not tolerated. Dr. Brodner performs a thorough anatomical evaluation to identify the specific sites of airway collapse and determine which surgical procedure or combination of procedures is most likely to be effective for your individual anatomy.

Surgery is always discussed in full, including realistic expectations for outcomes, before any decision is made.

If you snore loudly, wake feeling unrefreshed, or have been told you stop breathing during sleep, do not wait to get evaluated. Untreated sleep apnea is a serious health risk — and effective treatment is available. The Center for Sinus, Allergy, & Sleep Wellness offers the most comprehensive sleep apnea evaluation and treatment program in Boynton Beach, FL, led by one of South Florida’s only double Board-Certified ENT and Sleep Medicine physicians.

Call (561) 735-8750 or call the practice today — same-day and next-day availability for patients throughout Palm Beach County.