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What is sleep apnea?
A person with sleep apnea experiences irregular breathing pauses (apneas) or shallow breathing while they are asleep. These apneas can be brought on by a real obstruction in the airway, a lack of respiratory effort, or even both.
There are three types of sleep apnea:
- Obstructive sleep apnea
- Central sleep apnea
- Complex sleep apnea syndrome (occurs when someone has obstructive sleep apnea and central sleep apnea)
What causes sleep apnea?
Your throat tissues, soft palate, and tongue relax as you fall asleep deeply. The throat tissues and soft palate over-relax in people with sleep apnea, causing them to collapse into the back of the throat and obstruct the airway.
Your brain forces you to slightly awaken in order to consciously resume breathing when the airway is blocked, which stops the flow of oxygen. Your sleep may be severely disrupted by these episodes, which may occur hundreds of times per night.
How are snoring and sleep apnea diagnosed?
Symptoms of sleep apnea include heavy snoring, headaches and migraines upon waking, restless sleep, excessive daytime fatigue, problems focusing, irritability, depression and TMJ symptoms.
Not every person with sleep apnea will snore, despite the fact that it is a well-known symptom and could point to a potentially serious issue.Visit a doctor as soon as you notice any of these signs or symptoms so they can properly diagnose you.
Your dentists have a variety of treatment options available to help you get a better night's sleep once your condition has been diagnosed by a medical professional. To choose the best appliance for your requirements, we will conduct a thorough examination of your teeth, tongue, airway, and jaw, and we may even take an x-ray of your airway.
What sleep apnea devices or oral appliances can help?
Dental appliances can help by positioning your lower jaw further forward, effectively pulling your tongue away from the throat and the soft palate to open your airway. These dental appliances are:
- Portable
- Easy to care for
- Comfortable to wear
- Easy to insert and remove
- Quiet and not disruptive to any bed partners (unlike some sleep apnea machines)
- Convenient for travel
Why is it important to treat sleep apnea?
You won't be able to experience the deep, rejuvenating sleep that renews your body and mind if you have sleep apnea. Your life's quality and longevity may be negatively impacted by this, which may contribute to a wide range of medical disorders and diseases.
The metabolic syndrome and high blood sugar, which are linked to an increased risk of heart disease, are just two examples of the many conditions that can cause complications. Heart issues, hypertension, type 2 diabetes, and insulin resistance are additional potential problems. You might be more likely to get into a car accident or work accident as a result of your daytime fatigue.
By treating sleep apnea, your dentist can help you improve and protect your overall health and wellbeing.