Sleep Apnea
What’s Sleep Apnea?
Are you drowsy during the day without any explanation? Do you snore loudly or wake up breathless in the middle of the night?
If you’re experiencing any of these symptoms, you may be one of 12 million Americans who’s affected by sleep apnea.
Sleep apnea is a condition in which your breathing stops periodically during sleep, as many as 20-30 times per hour. Each time you stop breathing in your sleep (“Apnea” is the Greek word for “without breath.”), the resulting lack of oxygen alerts your brain, which temporarily wakes you up to restart proper breathing.
Since the time spent awake is so brief, most people with sleep apnea don’t remember it, and many feel like they are getting a good night’s sleep when, in fact, they aren’t.
The constant wake-sleep, wake-sleep cycle prevents those with sleep apnea from achieving deep sleep, resulting in a constant drowsy feeling during the day.
Signs of Sleep Apnea
If you notice one or more of sleep apnea symptoms, please contact us.
- Extreme drowsiness throughout the day
- Falling asleep unintentionally during the day
- Headaches upon waking in the morning
- Insomnia or difficulty sleeping
- Loud snoring at night
- Snorting or choking sounds during the night
- Waking up at night short of breath
Different Types of Sleep Apnea
There are three categories of sleep apnea. The most common is called obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and occurs due to a physical blockage, usually the collapsing of the soft tissue in the back of the throat.
Less common is central sleep apnea (CSA), in which breathing stops because the muscles involved don’t receive the proper signal from the brain. Some people suffer from mixed or complex sleep apnea, which is a combination of obstructive and central.
Risk Factors for Sleep Apnea
Obstructive sleep apnea is more common in males than females, and more common in older adults (40+) than younger adults and children. However, anyone — regardless of gender or age — can suffer from sleep apnea.
Other risk factors include obesity, smoking, drinking, use of sedatives or tranquilizers, and family history. Central sleep apnea strikes most often in people with heart disorders, neuromuscular disorders, strokes or brain tumors.
Is Sleep Apnea Dangerous?
Sleep apnea is considered a serious medical problem and if left untreated it can lead to high blood pressure, increasing the risk of heart failure and stroke. The ongoing state of fatigue caused by sleep apnea can lead to problems at work or school, as well as danger when driving or operating heavy machinery.
Sleep apnea can also cause complications with medication or surgery; sedation by anesthesia can be risky, as can lying flat in bed after an operation. If you know or suspect you suffer from sleep apnea, let your family doctor know before taking prescribed medication or having surgery.
Treatment Options
Treatments for sleep apnea depend on the severity of each individual case, and the type of apnea.
Basic treatment can be behavioral — for instance, patients are instructed to lose weight, stop smoking, or sleep on their sides instead of on their backs.
Beyond that, oral devices can be used to position the mouth in such a way that prevents throat blockage. In more severe cases, surgery may be the best option.
If You Suspect Someone in Your Family Suffers from Sleep Apnea
Give us a call or contact us here and we can refer you to a sleep physician who may recommend a sleep study to diagnose the precise extent of the problem and can prescribe appropriate treatment.
Depending on your situation, treatment may involve an oral device that Dr. Demas can custom-create for you after you complete a sleep study, he’s a member of the American Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine.