Do You Really Need to Seek Professional Help for Your Sleeping Problems?

Do you often find yourself tossing and turning while sleeping at night? Does your partner complain about your loud snoring? Find yourself irritated as soon as you wake up, or sleepy behind the wheel on your morning drive? Are you having more than the usual amount of difficulty concentrating at work?

If you answered yes to any of these questions, you may have a sleeping disorder. According to Robert Oexman, director of the Sleep to Live Institute, about 40 million Americans suffer from sleeping disorders. Sleeping disorders such as snoring and sleep apnea could significantly affect the quality of your sleep, as well as lower your productivity and energy levels during the day.

Sleeping problems can often be attributed to breathing issues. The ability to breathe easily is essential to a good night’s sleep, of course, so if you’re having a difficult time breathing through your nose while sleeping, a nasal obstruction caused by a deviated septum could be the cause.

When to Seek Professional Help

Everyone goes through sleeping difficulties from time to time. Unfortunately, it’s not always clear when to seek medical advice, or when to allow the problem to simply resolve by itself.

If your sleeping problems are mere isolated cases, these could be attributed to a full stomach or perhaps that extra strong cup of coffee or glass of wine you took before bedtime.

On the other hand, if you haven’t been getting enough sleep for a prolonged period of time, or if you’ve been experiencing chronic fatigue or excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS), it’s best to seek the help of a medical professional. Another indicator that you need medical attention is if your sleeping habits are seriously affecting the performance of your day-to-day activities.

Discussing your breathing and sleeping problems with an LA sinus specialist is always wise, as a doctor will be able to correctly diagnose the problem and recommend the best course of action to take, such as going through a septoplasty or a turbinate reduction.

All About The Deviated Septum

The nasal septum is that thin wall of flesh that divides the two cavities in your nose. It is usually straight at birth, but it can bend over time due to the abnormal development of the cartilage bone. The bending can also be a result of trauma caused by something as common as getting boxed in the nose or getting involved in a vehicular accident.

The deviation causes one nasal passage to be smaller than the other, limiting the amount of air that reaches a person’s lungs. The narrowed airway passage will make the tissue at the back of one’s throat vibrate, causing that sound you hear when you snore.

It can also lead to sleep apnea, where the breathing stops temporarily, causing the brain to send warning signals to the body and jolt the person out of a natural sleep rhythm. Other signs that indicate a visit to a Los Angeles sinus doctor is needed are recurring nosebleeds, sinus infections, headaches, and dry mouth.

How Septoplasty Can Help

A deviated septum can be corrected through a minimally invasive surgery called septoplasty. A septoplasty surgeon straightens out the septum wall by making a small incision inside the nose in order to trim down, reposition, or remove the excess cartilage or bone tissue.

Once the cartilage has been corrected and straightened, the nasal obstructions will clear out. Having septoplasty done will help prevent the collapse of the airway passages, allowing you to get a restful and refreshing sleep.