All About Sleep Apnea
Sleep apnea is a sleep disorder that disrupts normal breathing during sleep, causing pauses in breathing, gasping, headaches upon waking, and daytime fatigue. Excessive snoring is also a common symptom, often keeping partners awake.
- Obstructive Sleep Apnea: The most common type, caused by tissues in the back of the throat collapsing and blocking the airway.
- Central Sleep Apnea: This type occurs when there’s a disruption in communication between the brain and muscles, leading to breathing interruptions.
There are two main types of sleep apnea:
What Are the Benefits of Sleep Apnea Treatment?
A good night’s sleep is essential for both emotional and physical well-being. Even if you don’t remember waking up, sleep apnea disrupts your sleep cycle, leading to short- and long-term effects on your health, relationships, and overall quality of life. So, besides finally getting better sleep, here are the benefits of treating sleep apnea:
Better Physical Health
Treating sleep apnea reduces your risk of high blood pressure, heart problems, type 2 diabetes, liver issues, and stress on your metabolic system. It also reduces the extra risks associated with surgery or drug therapy.
Feel Like Yourself Again
If you often feel groggy or mentally foggy, sleep apnea may be the cause. Treatment helps you feel more focused, sharper, and energized, restoring your mental clarity and daily vitality.
Strengthen Your Relationships
Treating sleep apnea improves both your health and your partner’s. By reducing snoring and restlessness, you’ll both enjoy better, uninterrupted sleep, leading to improved moods and stronger relationships. A fresh start to the day makes work, parenting, and personal connections more enjoyable.
How is Sleep Apnea Treated?
Treatment for sleep apnea depends on its cause and severity, and we work to find a solution that fits your lifestyle. Here are some of the most common treatment options:
Lifestyle Changes
For mild cases, lifestyle changes can be effective. Your dentist may recommend losing weight, avoiding alcohol and sleeping pills, adjusting your sleep position, following sleep hygiene tips, and quitting smoking. These changes are often recommended alongside other treatments.
Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP)
CPAP is the most common treatment for sleep apnea. It involves wearing a mask connected to a machine that delivers a constant stream of air to keep your airways open during sleep. There are various mask and machine options available to suit your needs.
Oral Appliances
Oral appliances, similar to mouthguards, are worn while sleeping and can alleviate symptoms by reducing snoring, pulling the jaw forward, or stabilizing the tongue to keep the airway open.
Surgery and Medication
For some cases, surgery or medication might be necessary. We might look at things like fixing a deviated septum, widening a narrow throat or airway, or even adjusting the jaw to clear up blockages.
Contact us today
to schedule an initial consultation & exam.
Your consultation will include an examination of everything from your teeth, gums and soft tissues to the shape and condition of your bite. Generally, we want to see how your whole mouth looks and functions. Before we plan your treatment we want to know everything about the health and aesthetic of your smile, and most importantly, what you want to achieve so we can help you get there.
Frequently Asked Questions
The main symptoms of sleep apnea often involve not getting deep, restful sleep. You might snore loudly or often, experience pauses in breathing while you sleep, wake up choking or gasping for air, need to use the bathroom frequently during the night, or wake up feeling unrested. During the day, you could have headaches, trouble concentrating, irritability, memory issues, or even a decline in sexual desire.
There are many potential causes of sleep apnea. The most common type in adults, obstructive sleep apnea, is often linked to excess weight or obesity. However, it’s important to see a professional to determine the exact cause and type of sleep apnea you have.
Even if you’re not fully waking up, sleep apnea can still be disrupting your sleep. When you have trouble breathing, your brain briefly wakes you up to help clear your airway. These brief moments of waking up can happen more than 30 times per night, but they’re so short that you may not remember them. Instead, you’ll likely just feel groggy the next morning.
If you’re overweight, male, have a family history of sleep apnea or poor sleep habits, use alcohol or sleeping pills, smoke, or suffer from nasal congestion, you’re at a higher risk. Sleep apnea is also more common in older adults.
Research suggests that sleeping on your side (also known as the lateral position) is the most effective for reducing sleep apnea and snoring.
Yes, while obstructive sleep apnea is more common in people who are overweight, thin people can develop sleep apnea too. There are multiple causes, so being thin doesn’t necessarily rule it out.
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