Sleep Apnea
Have you been told that you snore a lot or loudly? Do you wake up feeling like you didn’t get any actual rest? Those are both signs of a condition called sleep apnea. It’s a common one — roughly a billion people have obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). And it’s important to seek treatment for it.
At Gardner Family Dentistry, our dentists in Huntsville, AL, provide treatment to help patients manage sleep apnea more effectively. With the right help, you get better sleep. You also lower your risk of other health problems linked to this sleep disorder.
But how do you know for sure if you have this condition? Knowing its signs and when to seek care can help ensure that you receive treatment that boosts your sleep quality!
What Is Sleep Apnea?
It’s a sleep disorder where you experience breathing pauses while sleeping. That either happens due to brain signal problems or obstructions in your airway, depending on which type of sleep apnea you have. You can manage this condition with the right professional care and lifestyle changes.
What Types of Sleep Apnea Are There?
Most people have what’s known as obstructive sleep apnea or OSA, a condition that causes paused breathing due to airway restrictions. But there’s another type, too, known as central sleep apnea or CSA. This type happens when there’s an issue with brain signals that normally control your breathing during sleep.
What Are Some Common Signs of Sleep Apnea?
It may not be easy to tell if you have sleep apnea. Snoring is a common symptom, but you may snore for other reasons, such as when you have a respiratory illness. Some possible signs that you’re dealing with sleep apnea include:
- Loud and/or frequent snoring
- Breathing interruptions during sleep (a spouse or partner may notice this)
- Gasping for air or feeling short of breath when you wake up
- Restless sleep with frequent moments of waking up
- Sleepiness while you’re awake
- Recurring headaches after you wake up
- Difficulty concentrating
- Changes in your mood, such as feeling more irritable
What Causes Sleep Apnea?
That depends on which type you have. OSA happens when something blocks your airway while you sleep, such as collapsed tissue in your throat. Your brain senses that you can’t breathe and wakes you up, causing frequent sleep disruptions.
CSA happens when your brain isn’t handling your breathing right while you sleep. This causes you to wake up repeatedly during the night to start breathing again.
Are There Risk Factors for Sleep Apnea?
Yes, certain factors can raise your risk of OSA or CSA. For OSA, being overweight and having more fat in your neck can block your airway. Having a thicker neck or a narrower airway also raises your risk of experiencing breathing pauses.
You may have an increased risk if OSA runs in your family, especially if you’re an older male. Smoking, certain health conditions, and chronic nasal congestion are also risk factors for sleep apnea.
For CSA, your chance of developing this condition is higher if you’re older and male. Having a heart disorder or a previous stroke can also increase this risk. Using certain medications, such as narcotic pain relievers, is another risk factor.
How Do You Know If You Have Sleep Apnea?
You might not have a way to determine this for sure on your own. But you can have tests done to check for it, such as sleep tests in a lab or at home. If you’re diagnosed with this sleep disorder, you’ll need to seek treatment for sleep apnea in Huntsville, AL.
What Kinds of Treatments Are Available for Sleep Apnea?
The tried-and-true method for OSA is a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machine. These machines keep you breathing throughout the night while you wear a mask. But they’re not the most comfortable way to treat sleep apnea — not everyone can use them.
Other treatments are available, including oral appliances and surgical procedures to improve airway flow, such as tissue shrinkage or removal and jaw repositioning. Lifestyle changes, such as losing excess weight or managing underlying conditions, may also help manage this condition.
How Do Dentists Treat Sleep Apnea?
As mentioned above, oral appliances are a treatment approach for sleep apnea. Our dentists at Gardner Family Dentistry can provide you with custom-made oral appliances that help prop your airway open, clearing the way for air to pass through without issues.
Some of these oral devices move your tongue forward. Others push your jaw forward. In either case, air can move through your airway freely while you sleep, alleviating your symptoms and improving your sleep quality.
We can fit you with a custom appliance that’s based on impressions of your mouth. That helps ensure that it feels comfortable, so you won’t mind wearing it night after night. These oral devices are also more convenient compared to CPAP machines, being small enough to pack in an overnight bag or suitcase while traveling.
What Happens If You Leave Sleep Apnea Untreated?
This condition may not seem like a big deal. Many people snore. You might not even be aware that you’re having breathing issues, since you’re asleep. But without treatment for OSA, you’re at risk of serious health conditions, including high blood pressure and heart-related conditions. OSA’s also linked to higher risks of type 2 diabetes and liver-related problems.
There’s also the issue of daytime sleepiness. Feeling extremely tired while you’re awake means you may not be able to drive safely or perform tasks at work or in other parts of your life. Snoring and gasping while sleeping can also affect your loved ones, making it harder for them to sleep.
Leaving CSA untreated also comes with risks, like cardiovascular issues and serious fatigue. Note that oral appliances and similar treatment approaches won’t work for CSA, since it’s a brain issue, not an airway issue.
What Are the Benefits of Managing Sleep Apnea?
Imagine feeling fully refreshed and ready to go when you wake up! That’s just one advantage that comes with treating sleep apnea. It helps you sleep better, rather than waking up often. Remember that sleep apnea makes it tough or even impossible to reach deeper stages of sleep.
Managing this sleep disorder also helps protect you from the increased risk of complications, like heart failure and stroke. Eliminating daytime fatigue means you can function as you normally would instead of struggling to get through the day. You can make decisions easier. You can drive safely. Your loved ones can also enjoy better sleep!
What Lifestyle Changes Can You Make to Manage Sleep Apnea?
Professional care is one part of treating sleep apnea. But there’s a lot you can do in your day-to-day life to help keep this condition under control. Some changes you can make include:
- Plan on losing any excess weight you have
- Be a side or stomach sleeper, not a back sleeper
- Quit smoking
- Don’t drink or take sleeping pills before bedtime
- Exercise for around 30 minutes or more per day
Make an Appointment Today for Sleep Apnea Treatment
Are you ready to take control of this condition and manage it better? Our dental team at Gardner Family Dentistry offers treatment for sleep apnea in Huntsville, AL, to help you sleep better and prevent serious complications.
