Sleep Apnea

At ComfortCare Dental, we make an effort to keep our clients well informed about several health-related topics. Sleep apnea, one of the most common sleep disorders out there, is a condition that should not go untreated. 

What is Sleep Apnea?

Sleep apnea is a disorder which causes a person to stop breathing during sleep. The airways get obstructed, resulting in the lungs not getting sufficient air. Patients tend to snore more loudly and make choking noises while trying to breathe. Also, the oxygen levels getting into the body and brain are so low that people tend to wake up suddenly. Sleep apnea will cause a person to awaken several times during the night. 

For many patients, the apnea is caused by a collapse in the soft tissue at the back of the throat. All muscles tend to relax during sleep time, including those located in the upper airways. If the person sleeps on their back, gravity will push the tongue back, reducing the amount of air entering the lungs, causing the soft tissue to vibrate as the person breathes, resulting in loud snoring.  

Sleep apnea can cause a person to wake up in the morning feeling tired even after a full night of sleep, feeling fatigue during the day, a lack of concentration, and falling asleep. The reason for this is that the patient wakes up several times during the night. It is important that Sleep apnea is treated. Otherwise, it could lead to potentially dangerous issues such as depression, diabetes, heart disease, and high blood pressure. 

Many people suffering from sleep apnea have not been diagnosed with it and are not receiving proper treatment. Visit our office, and our experienced physicians will be able to diagnose sleep apnea using two methods, an in-lab test or an in-home test. Treatment for sleep apnea includes continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) and oral appliance therapy, and in severe cases, surgery. In adults, sleep apnea is considered a breathing disorder.

Types of Sleep Apnea

There are three types of sleep apnea, obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), which is the most common of all three: more than 80% of all sleep apnea-related cases are OSA. There is also central sleep apnea (CSA). This variety is caused when the brain does not send the right messages to the muscles controlling the lungs, thus causing the patient to stop breathing. Finally, there's complex sleep apnea, which is a combination of OSA and CSA. All three types of sleep apnea can cause short and long-term issues to the body.

Short-Term Issues Caused by Sleep Apnea

All apneas can cause life-threatening conditions; after all, the body isn't getting sufficient oxygen during sleep. The most immediate side effect is sleep deprivation, which reduces the levels of energy in the body, mood swings, cognitive impairment, and in some cases memory loss. 

Long-Term Issues Caused by Sleep Apnea

If left untreated, sleep apnea can cause more severe conditions in the long run, such as type 2 diabetes, hypertension, and heart failure. It is important to pay attention to the symptoms related to sleep apnea; early detection is key to treating this condition. For a more comprehensive explanation about sleep apnea, testing, diagnosis, and treatment, call us today!