What Is Sleep Apnea?

Sleep apnea is a serious sleep disorder that occurs when a person’s breathing is disrupted during sleep. People with untreated sleep apnea stop breathing repeatedly during their sleep, in some cases this can occur hundreds of times in one night. Pauses in breathing while sleeping is a serious threat to overall health.

Sleep apnea is usually a chronic condition that disrupts your sleep and as a consequence you spend more time in light sleep patterns and less time in deep, restorative sleep. This ultimately leads to excessive daytime sleepiness.

What are the Three Types of Sleep Apnea?

1. Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA): The most common type of sleep apnea, it is typically caused by a blockage of the airway, usually when the soft tissue in the back of the throat collapses during sleep.
2. Central Sleep Apnea: This is a less common type of sleep apnea that involves the central nervous system. Unlike OSA, the airway is not blocked, but instead the brain fails to signal the muscles that control breathing.
3. Complex Sleep Apnea: This is a combination of obstructive sleep apnea and central sleep apnea.

What are the Symptoms ?

It can be tough to identify sleep apnea, since the most prominent symptoms only occur when you’re asleep. But you can find out by asking a bed partner to observe your sleep habits, or by recording yourself during sleep.

Sleep apnea symptoms may include:

» Pauses occur while you snore, at times choking or gasping may follow the pauses
» Excessive daytime sleepiness
» Morning headaches
» Memory loss
» Loss of concentration
» Irritability, depression and mood swings
» Dry mouth or sore throat upon wakening

What are the Risk Factors ?

» Excess weight: Fat deposits around your upper airway can obstruct your breathing
» Neck circumference: People with a thicker neck may have a narrower airway
» Narrowed airway: You may have inherited a naturally narrow throat, enlarged tonsils or adenoids
» Gender: Men are twice as likely to have sleep apnea than women
» Age: Sleep apnea occurs more often in adults older than 60
» Family history: If you have family members with sleep apnea, you may be at increased risk
» Race: If you are under the age of 35, African Americans are more likely to have OSA
» Alcohol, sedatives or tranquilizers: Usage of these substances relaxes the muscles in your throat
» Smoking: Smokers are three times more likely to have obstructive sleep apnea
» Nasal congestion: If you have difficulty breathing through your nose due to an anatomical issue or problem

If you are searching for an alternative course of treatment for obstructive sleep apnea, then look to the office of Huntingdon Valley Dental Arts.  We offer an oral appliance worn while sleeping that takes the place of a CPAP machine.  Dealing with obstructive sleep apnea and/or snoring can be stressful for you and your partner, but we may have the treatment plan you need to breathe easier when you sleep. For your convenience, we offer:

» Free consultations and second opinions
» A comfortable, soothing environment
» Modern treatments using current technology

As part of our commitment to education and learning, we attend multiple courses that provide us with the latest information concerning obstructive sleep apnea. We want to provide relevant service to our patients. We also strive to make the process of choosing a treatment plan simple and straightforward to put your mind at ease.

With more than 30 years of practice handling a wide range of dental concerns, Zola A. Makrauer, DMD may have the solution you need when searching in Huntingdon Valley, PA, for treatment for obstructive sleep apnea. Let us evaluate your condition to see if dental treatments could work for you. Call us today to learn more about our options or to schedule a consultation.