Do you often find yourself waking up from sleep dizzy and exhausted? Do you experience symptoms of mouth dryness during the night? Do you suffer from severe fatigue or difficulty in concentrating? These may be the symptoms of sleep apnea.

request an appointment

Sleep Apnea

Sleep apnea is a potentially serious sleep disorder that is marked by the stoppage of breathing or periods of shallow breathing for short intervals throughout the night. These episodes of breathlessness can occur numerous times a night and can last up to a few minutes. When the breathing restarts, you may wake up with smothering, wheezing, or gagging sensations. When this breathing obstruction occurs due to the blockage of the airway, it can prevent our brain and body from getting sufficient oxygen. Hence, if not properly diagnosed and treated on time, this condition can lead to various bothersome health issues like hypertension, stroke, heart failure, and diabetes.

Symptoms of Sleep Apnea

People suffering from sleep apnea often experience the following symptoms:
  • Snoring
  • Insomnia or sleeplessness
  • Waking up choking or wheezing
  • Irritability or lousy mood during the day
  • Morning headaches
  • Poor memory
  • Fatigue throughout the day
  • Restless sleep
  • Decreased sex drive

What causes Sleep Apnea?

Though obstructive sleep apnea can affect anyone – both adults and kids alike, people with the following conditions are at an increased risk:
  • Family history and genetics: If sleep apnea runs in our family, we may also get it.
  • Obesity: Excess weight can cause sleep apnea as fat deposits around the upper airway can narrow the airway and obstruct breathing.
  • A narrowed airway: People with a narrow airway, either genetically or due to tonsils or adenoids, can block the airway.
  • Smoking: Smoking can lead to inflammation and fluid retention in the upper airway, causing sleep apnea.
  • Use of alcohol, sedatives, or tranquilizers: Intake of sedative drugs or tranquilizers can relax our throat tissues and obstruct our airway.
  • Physical factors: The size and positioning of our tongue, jaw, neck, and other throat tissues can affect their airflow.
  • Sleeping on the back: When we sleep on our back, it can cause the tissues to collapse around their airways, causing blockages and sleep apnea.
  • Age: The risk of sleep apnea significantly increases as we age.

Sleep Apnea Treatment

Lifestyle Modifications
Obese people can reduce their sleep apnea symptoms by reducing their weight
Avoid alcohol, tranquilizers, and sleeping medicines.
Alter your sleeping position – do not sleep on your back
Quit smoking.

Surgery
For patients with OSA, various surgical treatments can help enlarge the airway. Surgery can stiffen or shrink obstructive tissue and remove the extra tissue.

Mandibular Advancement Devices 
These devices can help people with mild to moderate obstructive sleep apnea. They help prevent the tongue from restricting the throat or extending the lower jaw onward and keep the airway open during sleeping.

Foxfield Dental, located at Foxfield, CO, is equipped with the best dentists and modern technologies that enable the best dental care facilities for the patients. Call (720) 870-0401 and book an appointment with the dentistry to know more about Sleep Apnea and dental care services.