All About Sleep Apnea
Sleep apnea is a sleep disorder that disrupts normal breathing during sleep, causing frequent pauses that can occur more than 30 times a night. Common signs include excessive snoring, gasping for air during sleep, morning headaches, and daytime fatigue or fogginess.
- Obstructive Sleep Apnea – The most common form, caused by the collapse of throat tissues that block the airway.
- Central Sleep Apnea – A less common type, where a miscommunication between the brain and muscles leads to interrupted breathing.
There are two main types of sleep apnea:
Getting proper treatment for sleep apnea can help improve your quality of life and prevent further health complications
Benefits of Sleep Apnea Treatment
A good night’s sleep is crucial for both emotional and physical well-being. Even if you’re unaware of waking up throughout the night, sleep apnea is still disrupting your sleep cycle, which can affect your health, relationships, and overall quality of life. So, what are the key benefits of treating sleep apnea?
Better Physical Health
Treating sleep apnea lowers your risk of high blood pressure, heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and liver issues, while also reducing stress on your metabolism. It can also minimize potential complications from surgery or medications.
Mental Clarity
Many sleep apnea sufferers feel groggy or mentally foggy throughout the day. Treatment helps you wake up feeling refreshed, focused, and mentally sharp, so you can think more clearly and feel more like yourself.
Stronger Relationships
By addressing your sleep apnea, you not only improve your sleep but also your partner’s. Reduced snoring and restlessness mean both of you can enjoy better quality sleep, leading to improved moods, stronger communication, and a more enjoyable day together.
How Is Sleep Apnea Treated?
Treating sleep apnea depends on the cause and severity of your condition, as well as finding a solution that fits your lifestyle. Here are some common treatment options:
Lifestyle Changes
For mild cases, adjustments at home can make a big difference. Your dentist may recommend weight loss, avoiding alcohol and sleeping pills, improving sleep hygiene, changing your sleeping position, and quitting smoking. These changes are often suggested alongside other treatments because they are safe and effective.
Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP)
The most widely used treatment for sleep apnea, CPAP involves wearing a mask over your nose and/or mouth while you sleep. The mask is connected to a machine that provides a steady stream of air to keep your airways open. CPAP machines come in various styles to match your comfort and needs.
Oral Appliances
These devices, which resemble mouthguards, are worn while sleeping to reduce sleep apnea symptoms. They work by addressing the cause of your apnea, such as snoring, by adjusting the jaw or stabilizing the tongue to keep the airway open.
Surgery and Medication
In some cases, surgery or medication may be necessary. Common surgeries include fixing a deviated septum, widening a narrow airway, or adjusting the jaw to reduce throat blockages. Medications may also be prescribed based on the underlying cause of your sleep apnea.
Each treatment option is designed to improve your breathing during sleep, helping you feel more rested and healthier overall.
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
Sleep apnea symptoms often revolve around poor sleep quality. Common signs include frequent or loud snoring, silent pauses in breathing while sleeping, waking up gasping or choking, and needing to use the bathroom at night. People with sleep apnea often wake up feeling unsatisfied with their rest. During the day, they might experience headaches, irritability, difficulty concentrating, memory problems, brain fog, and even a decline in sexual desire.
Sleep apnea can stem from various factors. The most common form in adults, obstructive sleep apnea, is usually linked to excess weight and obesity. However, determining the exact type and cause requires an evaluation by a healthcare professional.
Yes, even if you don’t remember waking up, sleep apnea can still disturb your sleep. When your body senses a lack of oxygen, your brain briefly wakes you to reopen your airway. These awakenings are often so brief that you don’t recall them, but they can happen 30 or more times a night, leaving you feeling groggy the next day.
Your risk for sleep apnea increases if you are overweight, male, have a family history of the condition, or suffer from poor sleep quality. Other factors include alcohol or sleeping pill use, smoking, and nasal congestion. Sleep apnea is also more common in older adults.
Research shows that sleeping on your side, also known as the lateral sleeping position, is the best for reducing sleep apnea symptoms and minimizing snoring.
Yes, while most people with obstructive sleep apnea are overweight, thin individuals can develop the disorder as well, since there are various causes of sleep apnea.
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