Sleep apnea is a common sleep disorder that causes interrupted breathing during sleep. Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a sleep disorder that affects over 18 million Americans. This occurs when the upper airway is blocked during sleep, causing breathing to repeatedly start and stop throughout the night. Repeated oxygen deprivation can result in a number of serious health concerns like high blood pressure, stroke, heart failure, or diabetes. The American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons warns that 90% of patients with moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnea are undiagnosed. This is why it’s important to recognize the symptoms and get treatment at the earliest.
A common concern with sleep apnea is the loud snoring that it produces. Although this may seem like the primary symptom, it’s typically not the only sign of sleep apnea. Because of this, some cases of OSA go undiagnosed until the patient is examined by a sleep specialist who may recommend an overnight sleep study for diagnosis.
Snoring and sleep apnea are closely related conditions that involve loud breathing during sleep. Snoring occurs when your diaphragm relaxes and blocks the airway. This cuts off air from reaching the lungs, causing a person to snore loudly until they awaken. While it may seem harmless, it may be a sign of a much more serious problem known as obstructive sleep apnea. This condition involves a partial or complete blockage of the airway when the muscles relax and cut off oxygen flow. During an apnea episode, the body is unable to draw any oxygen, which can last anywhere from a few seconds to minutes. This can seriously harm the body over time if left untreated and cause health problems such as high blood pressure, stroke, and even heart failure.
Patients with sleep apnea experience multiple symptoms that can disrupt their sleep routine and quality of life. Some of the most common symptoms are daytime exhaustion, morning headaches, dry mouth, sore throats, hoarseness, and frequent waking throughout the night. Patients often suffer from these or other symptoms simultaneously, such as chronic congestion.
There are multiple causes of sleep apnea and snoring. Some factors include:
To learn more about the causes of sleep apnea, call your dentist to schedule a consultation today!
Although there are several treatment options for sleep apnea, as a general rule, there are two main categories of treatment; those that act on the soft tissues and those that alter the airway’s positioning.
Patients diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnea may require a Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) machine to help them breathe throughout the night without obstruction.
If a patient suffers from mild to moderate sleep apnea, a device called an oral appliance can be an effective treatment option. The oral appliance works similarly to an athletic mouthguard or retainer and helps to hold the tongue and soft palate forward during sleep to reduce obstruction of the airways. This therapy is a great option for patients who prefer to avoid invasive surgery.
Severe cases of obstructive sleep apnea may require surgical intervention to treat the condition. Your dentist can help determine which procedure would be most beneficial for you and help to guide you through the process from start to finish. Some of these procedures include:
Restore your smile with Pooya Soltanzadeh, DDS, MS, DABP, and his team of dental experts at Anaheim Hills, CA. For more details, call Dentist Anaheim Hills at (714) 974-0949, book online, or visit us at 8101 E Kaiser Blvd Suite 120, Anaheim Hills, CA 92808.
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