Sleep apnea is a sleep-related breathing disorder in which breathing repeatedly becomes reduced or stops for short periods during sleep. These interruptions can affect the amount of oxygen reaching the body and can prevent you from getting the restful sleep you need.
Many people do not realize they have sleep apnea. A partner or family member may notice loud snoring, pauses in breathing, gasping or restless sleep before the person notices anything themselves.
At our practice, we look at sleep, breathing, oral health and airway factors together when evaluating patients with possible sleep-related breathing problems.
Common Signs of Sleep Apnea
Sleep apnea can affect people differently. Common signs include:
- Loud or frequent snoring
- Pauses in breathing during sleep
- Gasping or choking during sleep
- Waking with a dry mouth
- Morning headaches
- Daytime tiredness
- Difficulty staying focused
- Irritability or mood changes
- Restless sleep
- Waking frequently during the night
In children, symptoms can sometimes look different. Snoring, mouth breathing, restless sleep, bedwetting, behavioral changes and difficulty concentrating may be associated with sleep-related breathing problems.
What Causes Sleep Apnea?
Several factors can contribute to sleep apnea. These may include airway anatomy, jaw position, enlarged tonsils or adenoids, nasal obstruction, excess body weight and other medical or structural factors.
There are different types of sleep apnea. Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is the most common type and occurs when the upper airway becomes narrowed or blocked during sleep.
Why Does Sleep Apnea Matter?
Poor-quality sleep can affect how you feel and function during the day. Untreated sleep apnea can also be associated with other health concerns, which is why proper evaluation is important.
If you or someone in your family snores regularly or has noticed breathing pauses during sleep, a sleep evaluation can help determine whether further testing is appropriate.
Sleep Apnea Evaluation
Your evaluation may include a discussion of your sleep symptoms, medical and dental history, breathing habits and airway characteristics.
Depending on your situation, additional sleep testing may be recommended. A diagnosis of sleep apnea should be made through an appropriate medical evaluation and sleep testing when indicated.
Treatment Depends on the Individual
There is no single treatment that works for everyone. Treatment may include lifestyle changes, positive airway pressure therapy, oral appliance therapy, treatment of nasal or airway issues, surgery or other approaches depending on the cause and severity.
Our goal is to help you understand your options and determine the appropriate next step.
Schedule a Sleep & Airway Consultation
If you are concerned about snoring, interrupted breathing or poor sleep, contact our office to discuss a sleep and airway evaluation.
