Sleep apnea is a very common sleep disorder that affects millions of people worldwide. During sleep apnea, the person suffers a temporary cessation of breathing for a few seconds without any warning.
These breath-holding episodes not only disrupt the quality of sleep but can also potentially cause brain, heart, and other organ damages if accumulated over time.
What is sleep apnea?
Sleep apnea is a condition whereby while asleep, the airway is at such a level of obstruction that the brain does not receive adequate signals from the muscles of the respiratory system to facilitate breathing. As a result, one’s breathing gets interrupted repeatedly throughout the sleep, sometimes even several times. The most common type of sleep apnea is the one in which the throat muscles relax, and as a result, the airway gets blocked. Besides, central sleep apnea is the one in which the brain fails to send the proper signals for breathing continuation.
As the breathing ceases, the blood becomes low in oxygen, and the body briefly awakens to the airway unblocking. In most cases, the individuals neither fully wake up nor realize that they do, but their sleep is extensively interrupted.
Symptoms that occur commonly
It’s common for people with sleep apnea to be unaware of their symptoms, while it is easy for those around them such as partners or family members to notice them. Some of the most common symptoms include:
- Snoring loudly and frequently, with the intensity usually increasing when lying on the back.
- Breathing abruptly stopping for a short time during sleep is one of the things that a person can notice.
- While sleeping, making gasping choking, snorting, or other loud noises.
- Waking up with headaches and a dry mouth.
- Feeling pretty drowsy throughout the day, as if you didn’t sleep well even if you actually slept well.
- Not being able to focus, forget things easily and getting irritated quickly are some of the consequences of lack of good sleep.
- Sometimes children with sleep apnea are not sleepy during the day but they may wet the bed, perform poorly in school or demonstrate behavior issues.
Causes and risk factor
Weight problems: Nowadays, obesity is the major risk factor. The fat extra around the neck may cause the airway to be narrower.
Getting older: Aging is a factor that increases the risk especially the middle-aged and the elderly mainly due to the loss of strength of the muscles of the air way.
Body type: Someone with a narrow throat, large tonsils or adenoids, or certain types of jaw structures can experience breathing difficulties during sleep.
Biological sex: Males suffer from sleep apnea more frequently than females however women’s risk after menopause becomes almost the same as that of men.
Hereditary: In case you have members of your family suffering from sleep apnea then your risk level may be higher too.
Smoking and drinking: Smoking irritates the airways while alcohol makes the muscles of the throat very loose, so both may cause the throat to collapse more easily.
Nasal congestion: A constantly blocked nose due to allergy or other causes may disrupt the breathing during sleep.
Besides that, for central sleep apnea risk factors are old age, certain heart conditions, taking opioid drugs, and having history of stroke.
Diagnosis
If a doctor or dentist thinks that you may have sleep apnea, they will question you about your symptoms, request your medical history, and discuss your sleep habits. It is quite likely that they will recommend you to have a sleep test, which can take place both at a sleep laboratory or can be done at home. Such a test consists of monitoring breathing patterns, oxygen levels, heart rate, as well as body movements during sleep. Typically, the extent of sleep apnea is gauged by counting the number of times breathing stops in an hour.
Treatment options
Therapy for sleep apnea aims primarily to open up the airway and improve the quality of sleep.
Deciding on the right treatment option will mainly be based on the type and severity of sleep apnea as well as the individual’s preferences and comfort.
Some typical treatments are:
Lifestyle modifications: It is very easy to do these things and they can be very effective: if you are overweight, losing the extra weight; totally giving up alcoholic drinks and not using any kinds of drugs that make you sleepy; also, if you are still smoking, quit. Side sleeping is better than sleeping on the back.
Yes, these can help with mild cases.
CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure): Device that blows air through a mask forcing the airways staying open and avoid being closed while sleeping; normally it is the first therapy that medical professionals suggest to lead a moderate-severe obstructive sleep apnea patient out of the condition.
Surgical intervention: Sometimes the surgeon may decide that, for a few suitably selected patients, the removal of excess tissue, the correction of jaw or nasal abnormalities, or the reduction of enlarged tonsils and adenoids is the right thing to do
Oral appliances and anti-snoring devices
Many people with mild to moderate obstructive sleep apnea find oral appliances made by a dentist a simple and effective solution. These are worn in the mouth during sleep, just like a sports mouthguard. Of all these devices, the mandibular advancement device is by far the one that is most commonly used, as it only slightly pushes the lower jaw forward.
The way these appliances work is by forward positioning your jaw that way the tongue and other soft tissues don’t fall back and block the airway. Patients generally report that, an oral appliance in most cases, is quite a bit simpler and more portable than a CPAP machine. Moreover, oral appliance therapy has a good chance of lowering snoring levels or even completely getting rid of it, improving daytime alertness, and leading to concentration and mood breaks.
Originally they may examine your teeth, jaws, and bite in order to come up with a custom-made device for your use. Subsequently, they may continue with some minor adjustments on your device so that it can be most comfortable to you and at the same time your airways during sleep remain open.
Conclusion
Consult a doctor if you:
Generally snore very loud.
Your spouse or partner might have noticed that you stop breathing, choke or gasp for air while sleeping. You feel very sleepy during the day although your sleep duration is enough.
Are you struggling to concentrate at school or at work due to tiredness? Sleep apnea condition if left unacted upon can adversely affect a person’s lifestyle severely besides resulting in health complications. If the issue of sleep is causing you worry and you think it is sleep apnea, do not ignore the signs.
Seeking professional help from a doctor or a dental clinic knowledgeable about sleep apnea, such as Red House Dental, is certainly a positive and correct way towards getting healthy and safe sleep.
