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I Believe I Have Sleep Apnea And I Know I

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Posted on Mon, 21 Oct 2019
Question: I believe I have sleep apnea and I know I have nasal polyps. Could the nasal poiyps be causing the sleep apnea?? I'm not sure which direction to go in. Should I go back to the cardiologist and pursue the treatment path of sleep apnea, or do back to the ENT who is recommending polyp surgery? I am self employed and have a $12,000 deductible so I have to be mindful of costs. Could the surgery clear up the sleep apnea. I also have heart palpitations that can make it difficult to sleep sometimes. I wondering if the polyps could be casusing all this.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Ilir Sharka (29 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
I would recommend as follows:

Detailed Answer:
Hello!

Welcome to Ask a Doctor service!

I understand your concern and would explain that nasal polyps can worsen snoring and thus sleep apnea.

For this reason, surgical resection of nasal polyps can help improve the situation. So, consulting with an ENT specialist would be the right step to follow.

Although, you should know that this will not solve definitely the problem of sleep apnea.

You should know that sleep apnea can worsen palpitations and also arterial hypertension.

The main treatment for sleep apnea is CPAP device, which can help improve the situation visibly.

I would also recommend performing pulmonary function tests, because obstruction of airways, can worsen sleep apnea too.

Regarding palpitations, I would also recommend checking thyroid hormone levels for possible thyroid gland dysfunction and blood electrolytes for possible imbalances.

Hope you will find this answer helpful!

Wishing all the best

Dr.Ilir Sharka, Cardiologist
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Yogesh D
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Ilir Sharka (4 hours later)
Thanks for your response. Do you think the polyps could be causing all my issues? And if I get the surgery, the sleep apnea may go away? The heart palpitaions and bad sleep nights seems to come on sporadically. I have had a cold for the last week and my heart palpitations and sleeps have been terrible. But this isn't always the case. I can go for weeks with no real issues and then all of sudden everything gets bad again.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Ilir Sharka (18 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
I would explain as follows:

Detailed Answer:
Hello again!

I think that removing the polips can help improve your situation ,but it will not cure at 100% sleep apnea as there are many causes underlying sleep apnea.

Anyway, improving your breathing will definitely help improve your situation.

I would also recommend performing the above mentioned tests in order to investigate for other possible causes underlying palpitations and sleep apnea.

Hope you will find this answer helpful!

I remain at your disposal for any further questions whenever you need!

Kind regards,

Dr.Iliri
Note: For further queries related to coronary artery disease and prevention, click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T
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Answered by
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Dr. Ilir Sharka

Cardiologist

Practicing since :2001

Answered : 9534 Questions

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I Believe I Have Sleep Apnea And I Know I

Brief Answer: I would recommend as follows: Detailed Answer: Hello! Welcome to Ask a Doctor service! I understand your concern and would explain that nasal polyps can worsen snoring and thus sleep apnea. For this reason, surgical resection of nasal polyps can help improve the situation. So, consulting with an ENT specialist would be the right step to follow. Although, you should know that this will not solve definitely the problem of sleep apnea. You should know that sleep apnea can worsen palpitations and also arterial hypertension. The main treatment for sleep apnea is CPAP device, which can help improve the situation visibly. I would also recommend performing pulmonary function tests, because obstruction of airways, can worsen sleep apnea too. Regarding palpitations, I would also recommend checking thyroid hormone levels for possible thyroid gland dysfunction and blood electrolytes for possible imbalances. Hope you will find this answer helpful! Wishing all the best Dr.Ilir Sharka, Cardiologist