What Is Sleep Apnea?
Sleep apnea is a potentially serious condition in which a patient’s airway repeatedly becomes obstructed while the patient is asleep. These apneic episodes deprive the body of oxygen and severely disrupt the patient’s rest, which results in a cascade of health effects. If you show signs of sleep apnea, it’s important to complete a sleep study to determine whether you have the condition. Patients who are diagnosed with sleep apnea should pursue treatment to avoid the many health issues associated with the condition.
Call Dental Associates Sleep Solutions to schedule your sleep apnea treatment consultation.
What causes sleep apnea?
Obstructive sleep apnea occurs when soft tissue near the trachea opening collapses and blocks that opening. This causes the patient to stop breathing briefly until the brain alerts them to wake up and restore normal breathing.
Certain factors are associated with an increased risk of developing sleep apnea:
- Obesity
- Large neck circumference
- A naturally narrow airway (because it is blocked more easily)
- Chronic sinus problems or congestion
- Male gender (although post-menopausal women also face a higher-than-average risk of sleep apnea)
It’s important to be aware of sleep apnea risk factors so that you can know when you might need to be evaluated for this condition.
What are the symptoms of sleep apnea?
In addition to knowing sleep apnea risk factors, patients should also monitor for the condition’s symptoms, which include:
- Loud snoring or noticeable pauses in breathing (which may be identified by sleeping partners)
- Daytime drowsiness
- Frequent morning headaches
- Frequent sore throat or dry mouth upon waking
- Mood changes
- Difficulty focusing/paying attention
If you notice any of these symptoms, you should undergo a sleep study to determine whether you do indeed have sleep apnea. After you get a confirmed diagnosis, you can pursue treatment.
What are the treatment options for sleep apnea?
Patients have different options for sleep apnea treatment. The continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) mask is often the first treatment approach attempted, but many patients fail to comply with this inconvenient and uncomfortable device. Oral appliance therapy can be a good solution for patients who have already failed CPAP or those who would like to initially try a treatment option that is a better fit with their lifestyle.
The oral appliance used feels similar to a mouthguard that an athlete might wear for protection, except it is specially designed to keep the jaw or tongue forward while the patient sleeps to prevent airway obstruction. It is custom-fitted to the patient’s unique specifications for optimal comfort.
What are the effects of sleep apnea?
It’s important to find a sleep apnea treatment that works for you because untreated sleep apnea has many costs for patients, including:
- Increased risk of cardiovascular issues, like high blood pressure, stroke and heart disease
- Increased risk of diabetes
- Increased risk of weight gain
- Increased risk of depression
- Fatigue
- Difficulty performing routine tasks such as driving or work activities
- Inattentiveness
- Irritability
To avoid the consequences of sleep apnea, explore your treatment options at Dental Associates Sleep Solutions.