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About Sleep Apnea

Many of us snore, and it isn't a problem in most cases. If your snoring is loud enough to keep the whole house awake, you might have a serious sleep disorder called sleep apnea. Sleep apnea can strike almost anyone. It can deprive your body of needed rest and oxygen as well as put your health at risk.

At Malan Family Dentistry, we can help identify and treat obstructive sleep apnea.

What Is Sleep Apnea?

Sleep apnea is a sleep-related illness. If you have it, you repeatedly stop and start breathing throughout the night. People with sleep apnea might stop breathing hundreds of times in a single night.

This is a serious concern. When you stop breathing, you stop sending oxygen to your brain and other important organs. You won't sleep well, and you could be damaging your heart, lungs, and brain.

Symptoms of Sleep Apnea

Many people snore heavily but don't have sleep apnea. If you feel fatigued and lethargic after you wake up, that's a clear sign that something is interfering with your sleep. The main symptoms of sleep apnea include:

  • Chronic, extremely loud snoring.

  • Waking up short of breath in the middle of the night.

  • Gasping and choking during sleep.

  • Feeling tired in the daytime despite spending a full night in bed.

  • Waking up with a headache.

  • Mood swings and depression.

  • Insomnia and restless sleep.

  • Impotence.

  • Waking up in the middle of the night to use the bathroom.

Types of Sleep Apnea

Doctors usually diagnose one of three types of sleep apnea.

Central Sleep Apnea

In central sleep apnea, your brain fails to read the signals from your lungs related to breathing. Central sleep apnea is often a symptom of another illness such as heart disease, neurological disease or brain stem injury.

Obstructive Sleep Apnea

This is the most common type. It happens when soft tissues in your throat block the passage of air to your brain.

Complex Sleep Apnea

This is a combination of both types of sleep apnea. It is the most difficult to treat.

Who Is at Risk for Developing Sleep Apnea?

There are certain lifestyle and genetic factors that predispose you to sleep apnea. It is more likely to occur if you:

  • Over the age of 50.

  • Beyond healthy weight limit.

  • Smoke.

  • Have high blood pressure.

  • Are black, Latino or a Pacific Islander.

  • Have a large neck size.

Preventing Sleep Apnea

Can you prevent sleep apnea? Following these tips can help you stay healthy and avoid sleep disorders. If you have a mild case of sleep apnea, they can also help correct it.

Maintain a healthy weight. People who are overweight have a higher chance of developing sleep apnea. A healthy weight and regular exercise can minimize your chances of getting this disorder.

Avoid alcohol, heavy meals and caffeine at bedtime. You might think a heavy meal or a few drinks will help you fall asleep, but they disrupt your sleep patterns. You should stop drinking caffeine at least two hours before bedtime.

Stop smoking. Smokers have a higher chance of developing sleep apnea and other sleep-related disorders. If you smoke, try to quit.

Sleep on your side. Train yourself to sleep on your side. This will help prevent mild cases of breathing obstruction. It also may reduce your snoring.

Diagnosing and Treating Sleep Apnea

If your doctor suspects that you have sleep apnea, there are two ways to diagnose it. You can spend a night or two being monitored at a sleep clinic, or you can use a machine to measure your breathing while you sleep at home.

The data that is collected is called a polysomnogram. This allows your doctor to observe your breathing patterns while you sleep.

What are the most common treatments for sleep apnea?

CPAP Device

CPAP stands for continuous positive airway pressure. The CPAP device is a mask that you wear while sleeping. The mask hooks up to a breathing machine that delivers regular, even airflow to your lungs.

Oral Appliance Therapy

Another treatment is a specially fitted dental device. This device advances your lower jaw forward to aid in creating space in your airway. You can get this device from a dentist who specializes in treating sleep apnea.

Call Malan Family Dentistry

At Malan Family Dentistry, we can fit with you with a dental device that will help with your excessive snoring or sleep apnea. We're also here for your whole family's regular dental needs. Contact us today to schedule an appointment.