All about sleep apnea
Sleep apnea is a sleep disorder that makes it difficult to breathe while you sleep. It can disrupt your sleep more than 30 times a night and is characterized by pauses in normal breathing, gasping in your sleep, waking up with headaches, daytime grogginess, and, most infamously, excessive snoring that may disturb your partner.
- Obstructive Sleep Apnea: The most common form, caused by tissues in the back of the throat collapsing and blocking the airway during sleep.
- Central Sleep Apnea: Caused by a disruption in the communication between your brain and the muscles that control breathing.
There are two main types of sleep apnea:
What are the benefits of sleep apnea treatment?
A good night’s sleep is essential to your emotional and physical well being. Even if you do not remember waking up, sleep apnea can still interfere with your sleep cycle. Left untreated, it may affect your health, relationships, and overall quality of life. Treating sleep apnea comes with a number of life changing benefits:
Better physical health
Treating sleep apnea may reduce the risk of high blood pressure, heart problems, type 2 diabetes, liver issues, and strain on your metabolism. It may also reduce the added risk associated with surgeries or drug treatments.
Improved mental clarity
Sleep apnea sufferers often report morning grogginess or feeling mentally foggy all day. With proper treatment, many patients regain mental sharpness and feel like themselves again.
Stronger relationships:
Reducing or eliminating restlessness and snoring can improve sleep for both you and your partner. Better sleep leads to improved mood, which makes daily responsibilities and relationships easier to manage.
How is sleep apnea treated?
There are several effective treatments depending on the type and severity of your sleep apnea. The right treatment also depends on your lifestyle and comfort.
Lifestyle changes
Mild cases can often be managed at home by losing weight, avoiding alcohol or sleeping pills, changing your sleep position, quitting smoking, and practicing good sleep hygiene. These are often recommended even when other treatments are used.
Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP)
This is the most common treatment. A mask worn during sleep delivers a steady stream of air that keeps your airway open. There are various mask styles and machine options to suit your comfort.
Oral appliances
These are custom made devices worn in the mouth while sleeping. They may resemble a mouthguard and help by repositioning the jaw, supporting the tongue, or opening the airway.
Surgery or medication
If your apnea is caused by anatomical issues, surgery may be needed to remove obstructions or correct abnormalities such as a deviated septum. In some cases, medication may also help.
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 include loud or frequent snoring, choking or gasping during sleep, waking to use the washroom, dry mouth, morning headaches, poor memory or concentration, mood swings, and a general lack of energy or motivation during the day.
The most common cause of sleep apnea in adults is excess weight or obesity, which contributes to obstructive sleep apnea. However, the condition may also result from genetics, anatomical issues, or neurological conditions. Only a professional can properly diagnose the cause.
Yes. Sleep apnea often causes micro awakenings that are so brief you don’t remember them. Your brain wakes you just enough to reopen your airway, and this can happen dozens of times a night. While you may not remember it, you will likely feel tired and foggy in the morning.
Common risk factors include being overweight, being male, having a family history of sleep apnea, alcohol or sedative use, smoking, and chronic nasal congestion. It is also more common in people over the age of 40.
Sleeping on your side is generally considered the most effective position for reducing the symptoms of sleep apnea and snoring. It helps keep the airway open and reduces pressure on the throat.
Yes. While being overweight is a common risk factor, sleep apnea can also affect people who are not overweight. Other factors such as genetics, anatomical structure, or medical conditions can contribute.
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