What is sleep apnea?
Sleep apnea is a condition in which your breathing stops periodically during sleep. Obstructive sleep apnea is the most common type of sleep apnea. It occurs when the muscles in your throat relax and physically block your airways.
Sleep apnea can lead to dangerous health complications, such as high blood pressure, heart attack, and stroke when left untreated.
What are the symptoms of sleep apnea?
Snoring is sometimes a symptom of sleep apnea, but it’s not always present with the condition. If someone who sleeps near you reports that you stop breathing frequently during the night, it could indicate that you have sleep apnea.
Other common signs of sleep apnea include:
- Frequent awakenings
- Insomnia
- Choking or gasping during sleep
- Waking with a dry mouth or sore throat
- Morning headaches
- Daytime sleepiness
- Irritability
- Difficulty concentrating
Sleep apnea can contribute to mood disorders such as depression or anxiety.
What causes sleep apnea?
Obstructive sleep apnea affects people of all ages. Older adults, especially men, have an increased risk of developing the condition.
Additional risk factors include:
- Smoking
- Obesity
- Large neck circumference
- Nasal congestion
If you suspect you have sleep apnea, you should see a medical provider for an evaluation.
How is sleep apnea treated?
Changing your sleeping position, or aspects of your lifestyle like your weight or smoking habits, may improve obstructive sleep apnea. Moderate to severe cases of sleep apnea may require treatment, such as:
Continuous positive airway pressure
Continuous positive airway pressure, or CPAP, requires a special machine that generates pressurized air. A tube connects the machine to a face mask worn at night to keep your airways open while sleeping.
Oral appliances
Oral appliances from Lakeside Family Dentistry shift the balance of your oral anatomy from blocking your airways. Mandibular advancement devices gently move your lower jaw forward, while a tongue retaining device prevents your tongue from receding towards the back of your throat.
Oral surgery
If conservative treatments haven’t helped your condition, the surgical team at Lakeside Family Dentistry are experts with several types of oral surgery procedures that can address obstructive sleep apnea. Removal of palate tissue and jaw realignment surgery are two examples of surgical options for sleep apnea.
To learn more about treatment options for sleep apnea, or to schedule an evaluation with a skilled provider at Lakeside Family Dentistry, call the office today, or make an appointment online.
