• Sleep Apnea

  • What is Sleep Apnea?

    Sleep apnea is a potentially severe disorder that disrupts an individual’s breathing while they sleep. There are three primary kinds of sleep apnea: obstructive, central, and mixed.

    Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) happens when your airway is blocked, usually by a soft tissue that falls in the back of your throat. This is the most common kind of sleep apnea.

    Central Sleep Apnea (CSA) occurs when your brain doesn’t properly signal the body to breathe. This is commonly caused by other medical conditions like arthritis, encephalitis, and Parkinson’s disease. 

    Mixed Sleep Apnea includes a mix of issues found in OSA and CSA.

    Signs and Symptoms

    Signs of sleep apnea may include the following:

    • Loud snoring
    • Pauses in breath while sleeping
    • Waking up feeling short of breath
    • Trouble falling back to sleep 
    • Restless sleep
    • Insomnia
    • Headaches in the morning
    • Sore throat or dry mouth when you wake up in the morning
    • Sleepiness and fatigue throughout even if you get enough sleep at night
    • Forgetfulness
    • Difficulty focusing 
    • Irritability
    • Moodiness

    Who is at Risk?

    Sleep apnea can happen to persons of any age. The following may increase your chances of being diagnosed with sleep apnea:

    • Small jaw
    • Overweight
    • Over 40 years old
    • Large neck, tongue, uvula, or tonsils
    • Gastroesophageal reflux (GERD)
    • Nasal blockage from allergies, deviated septum, or other sinus problems.
    • Genetics/Family history of sleep apnea

    Effects

    If you don't treat your sleep apnea in a timely and proper manner, severe health conditions can occur including:

    • Heart attack
    • Stroke
    • High blood pressure
    • Diabetes
    • Headaches
    • Depression
    • Asphyxiation  

    Prevention

    A healthy lifestyle, including exercise, a nutritious and balanced diet, and a normal sleep routine can decrease your chances of sleep apnea. To prevent sleep apnea:

    • Avoid certain substances like alcohol, sleeping pills, and other sedatives that can relax the throat and constrict breathing.
    • Avoid sleeping on your back, which may cause soft tissues to disrupt your breathing. Try to sleep in a comfortable position that helps you remain asleep throughout the night. 
    • Weight loss can relieve some stress on your neck and heart, causing less disturbances. 

    At Prosthodontics & Implant Dental Center we take the time to get to know each client and their individual needs. Since each person is different, it is important for us to create a trusting relationship to treat you as best as we can. 

    We may suggest the following treatments to help combat sleep apnea and allow you sleep throughout the night:

    • Tongue stabilizing devices
    • Custom-made mouth tray
    • Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machines

    If you would like to request more information, or if you have any questions about our sleep apnea treatments, call us today (209) 383-9222. 

    Let us help you sleep through the night and wake up feeling refreshed.