Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) occurs when the muscles of the throat relax during sleep, allowing soft tissue to partially or completely block the airway — causing breathing to stop repeatedly throughout the night. These pauses in breathing can last seconds to minutes and may occur dozens or even hundreds of times per night, preventing restorative sleep and stressing the cardiovascular system.

Many people with sleep apnea don’t know they have it. It’s often a bed partner who first notices the pattern of snoring, gasping, or silence. But even without a witness, the daytime consequences — fatigue, difficulty concentrating, morning headaches — are often telling. At Seaside ENT, Dr. Samarrai evaluates the upper airway anatomy contributing to sleep apnea and coordinates appropriate treatment.

Untreated obstructive sleep apnea is associated with high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, and type 2 diabetes. If you suspect you have sleep apnea, evaluation and treatment is important not just for sleep quality but for long-term health.

Signs and symptoms of sleep apnea

Loud Snoring

Often the most noticeable symptom, reported by a bed partner

Gasping or Choking at Night

Brief awakenings with a sense of breathlessness or gasping

Daytime Fatigue

Excessive sleepiness despite what seems like a full night of sleep

Morning Headaches

Result of reduced oxygen levels and disrupted sleep architecture

Difficulty Concentrating

Brain fog, poor memory, or difficulty focusing during the day

Waking Unrefreshed

Feeling tired even after sleeping 7–8 hours

Snoring vs. sleep apnea — what’s the difference?

Often Benign

Simple Snoring

Airway vibration during sleep without significant obstruction or pauses in breathing. May still disrupt a partner’s sleep and can be worsened by nasal obstruction, alcohol, weight, and sleep position.

Medical Condition

Obstructive Sleep Apnea

Repeated episodes of partial or complete airway collapse during sleep, causing drops in oxygen and fragmented sleep. Associated with significant cardiovascular and metabolic health consequences when untreated.

Many people who snore loudly do have obstructive sleep apnea — but not all snorers do. A sleep study (polysomnography or home sleep test) is the definitive way to distinguish between the two and determine the severity of any apnea.

The ENT role in sleep apnea care

An otolaryngologist plays an important role in sleep apnea evaluation because much of what drives airway obstruction during sleep is anatomical — and anatomy is our specialty. Dr. Samarrai evaluates the entire upper airway for structural contributors to sleep-disordered breathing:

Nasal obstruction — a deviated septum, enlarged turbinates, or nasal polyps that reduce nasal airflow and worsen mouth breathing during sleep
Enlarged tonsils or adenoids — even in adults, tonsillar hypertrophy can significantly narrow the airway
Soft palate and uvula anatomy — excess tissue contributing to vibration and obstruction
Tongue base obstruction — posterior displacement of the tongue during sleep

Why see an ENT for sleep apnea? CPAP is the first-line treatment — but it’s not the only option. CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure) is highly effective and remains the standard treatment for moderate-to-severe sleep apnea. But compliance is a challenge for many patients. An ENT evaluation can identify whether anatomical factors — like nasal obstruction — are making CPAP harder to tolerate, or whether surgical or other options are appropriate for patients who cannot or will not use CPAP.

What to expect at your evaluation

History and symptom review

Dr. Samarrai will review your sleep symptoms, any prior sleep study results, CPAP experience, and relevant medical history including cardiovascular risk factors.

Upper airway examination

A thorough examination of the nasal passages, throat, tonsils, soft palate, and tongue base using nasal endoscopy when indicated to identify anatomical contributors to obstruction.

Sleep study coordination

If you have not yet had a sleep study, Dr. Samarrai will facilitate referral for a home sleep test or in-lab polysomnography to confirm diagnosis and severity.

Individualized treatment plan

Based on findings, treatment may include addressing nasal obstruction, CPAP optimization, surgical options for appropriate candidates, or referral for oral appliance therapy.

Frequently asked questions

How do I know if I have sleep apnea or just snore?

The only way to definitively distinguish between simple snoring and obstructive sleep apnea is a sleep study. However, if you wake up tired despite adequate sleep hours, have morning headaches, or a partner has observed you gasping or pausing in your breathing, sleep apnea is likely. An ENT evaluation is a good starting point.

Can fixing my nose help my sleep apnea?

Yes — nasal obstruction from a deviated septum, enlarged turbinates, or nasal polyps can worsen sleep apnea and make CPAP harder to tolerate. Correcting nasal obstruction often improves sleep quality and CPAP compliance, though it may not eliminate sleep apnea on its own in more severe cases.

I can’t tolerate CPAP — what are my options?

CPAP intolerance is common and there are alternatives worth exploring. An ENT evaluation can determine whether nasal obstruction is a contributing factor to CPAP discomfort. Oral appliance therapy (a custom-fitted mouthguard) is an effective alternative for mild-to-moderate sleep apnea. Surgical options exist for carefully selected patients. Dr. Samarrai will discuss what’s appropriate for your specific situation.

Is sleep apnea dangerous?

Untreated moderate-to-severe sleep apnea is associated with significantly increased risk of high blood pressure, heart attack, stroke, atrial fibrillation, and type 2 diabetes. It also impairs driving ability and cognitive function. Treatment reduces these risks substantially.

Will losing weight cure my sleep apnea?

Weight loss can significantly reduce the severity of sleep apnea and in some cases eliminate it entirely. However, it is not a reliable cure for everyone, and sleep apnea should be treated while weight loss is being pursued — not as a reason to delay treatment. Anatomical factors beyond weight also play a role in many patients.

Serving Brooklyn & Staten Island

Seaside ENT sees patients at 6818 3rd Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11220 in Bay Ridge and 1191 Forest Ave, Staten Island, NY 10310. Dr. Samarrai speaks both Arabic and English. Most major insurance plans are accepted.

General ENT | Brooklyn & Staten Island

Waking up tired every day? You don’t have to.

Call Seaside ENT to schedule a sleep apnea evaluation with Dr. Samarrai. Most insurance accepted.

Call (917) 992-3873

Brooklyn & Staten Island