Do you snore loudly at night? Do you feel tired after getting eight or more hours of sleep? If so, you may have sleep apnea.
What exactly is sleep apnea?
It's more common than you think. According to the Sleep Foundation, it's a medical condition that causes abnormal breathing while sleeping. A person may have several breath lapses in their sleep. Interrupted breathing can cause snoring, snorting, choking, or gasping. If left untreated, sleep apnea can lead to other severe health issues, such as heart disease, high blood pressure, Type 2 diabetes, and stroke.
There are three types of sleep apnea:
- Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA)—occurs when the airway at the back of the throat is physically blocked, causing temporary lapses in breathing.
- Central Sleep Apnea (CSA)—occurs when there is an issue with the muscles involved with respiration, leading to pauses in breathing.
- Mixed Sleep Apnea—is a combination of OSA and CSA.
OSA is the most common and primarily found in men and older adults.
Risk factors for sleep apnea
According to Orsatti Dental, sleep apnea can affect anyone at any age, but men are two to three times more likely to develop this medical condition. Middle-aged and older people also have an increased risk. However, various factors can increase a person's risk of developing one of the three types of sleep apnea.
Symptoms of sleep apnea
If you're not sure if you or a loved one has sleep apnea, look for these symptoms:
- Loud snoring (although not everyone who has sleep apnea snores)
- Gasping for air during sleep
- Morning headaches
- Morning dry mouth
- Daytime fatigue or excessive drowsiness
- Difficulty staying asleep
- Difficulty paying attention during the day
- Irritability
Treatment options for sleep apnea
There are a few treatment options available. The doctors at Orsatti Dental can monitor sleep patterns with an easy-to-use, home sleep study that does not require invasive sensors or other devices that interfere with sleep.
A few lifestyle changes can help improve sleep apnea, such as losing weight, quitting smoking or sedatives, and sleeping on your side. Another option is using a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machine. CPAP machines pressurize the air delivered through a hose and mask into the airway, keeping air passages open, improving respiration and sleep.
Other options include mouthpieces that hold the jaw and tongue in a specific place. This treatment works best for people with triggers for mild OSA.
A surgical procedure that removes tissue and expands the airway is available for severe cases.
If you have symptoms or have concerns about sleep apnea, speak with your doctor. They can diagnose the cause of your sleep apnea and provide the best route to take for treatment.
To learn more about Orsatti Dental, give them a call at 210-263-1014 or visit them online at orsattidental.com.