What Is Sleep Apnea?
Sleep apnea is a disorder characterized by repeated interruptions in breathing during sleep. These pauses, known as apneas, can last from a few seconds to minutes and occur multiple times per hour.
Left untreated, sleep apnea can lead to a number of serious health complications, including chronic daytime fatigue, depression, high blood pressure, and an increased risk of experiencing a stroke or heart attack. Fortunately, our Blaine dentists can help identify common symptoms of sleep apnea and assist patients in managing the disorder with oral appliance therapies.
What Are Common Symptoms of Sleep Apnea?
Perhaps the most common and easily identifiable symptom of sleep apnea is loud snoring. However, not everyone who snores has sleep apnea, and not everyone who has sleep apnea snores! It is important to keep an eye out for other symptoms as well, such as:
- Frequent pauses in breathing
- Gasping or choking
- Waking up abruptly
- Persistent exhaustion throughout the day
- Morning headaches
- Restless sleep
- Dry mouth or sore throat upon waking up
- Difficulty concentrating during the day
- Mood changes, such as increased irritability, depression, or anxiety
If you or a loved one experience multiple symptoms from this list, we recommend talking to your doctor about the possibility of sleep apnea. At Legacy Dental Care, we partner with a local sleep center to provide resources and treatment options for our patients. That said, while we can help you explore your symptoms and the different treatment possibilities, a formal sleep apnea diagnosis is typically only attainable after a sleep study conducted by a sleep specialist.
What Causes Sleep Apnea?
Sleep apnea is considered a multifactorial disorder, meaning that it can have multiple contributing causes.
Broadly speaking, obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) results from the airway being blocked during sleep. Contributing factors can include excess fat around the upper airway (commonly associated with obesity), persistent nasal congestion (such as that caused by allergies), smoking (which can cause inflammation around the airway), and anatomical factors (such as a naturally narrow airway).
Central sleep apnea (CSA) is typically a neurological condition characterized by the brain not sending the proper signals to the muscles that control breathing, leading to frequent pauses.
OSA is significantly more common than CSA. Some patients also exhibit a combination of both CSA and OSA, called mixed or complex sleep apnea.
What Are My Sleep Apnea Treatment Options?
Historically, the most common treatment for sleep apnea has been Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) machines, which deliver a consistent stream of air through a mask to keep the airway open during sleep. However, many patients struggle to use their CPAP machines as directed, and new research into the field of dental sleep medicine has shown that alternative treatments—such as oral appliance therapies—can also be quite helpful in managing the condition.
At Legacy Dental Care, we partner with a local sleep center to offer oral appliance therapies for those whom CPAP machines are not viable. Mandibular Advancement Devices (MADs) are custom-designed for each patient, and they work by repositioning the jaw and tongue to provide better support for the airway during sleep.
For patients with OSA, certain lifestyle adjustments may also be effective in treating the symptoms of sleep apnea. Quitting smoking, losing weight, and looking into effective allergy management strategies can help reduce pressure on the airway and prevent the blockages that cause apneas.
Interested in learning more about sleep apnea? Schedule a consultation with one of our knowledgeable dentists today.