Obstructive Sleep Apnea
Obstructive sleep apnea is very common and potentially life-threatening medical disorder that prevents airflow during sleep. More than 18 million Americans have sleep apnea, and many are not receiving treatment.
Read More about Sleep Apnea
Sleep apnea occurs when tissue in the back of the throat collapses and blocks the airway, reducing the amount of oxygen delivered to all of your organs including your heart and brain. People with sleep apnea may snore loudly and stop breathing for short periods of time. When the blood-oxygen level drops low enough, the body momentarily wakes up. It can happen so fast that you may not be aware you woke up. This can happen hundreds of times a night, and you may wake up in the morning feeling unrefreshed.
In addition to snoring and excessive daytime sleepiness, sleep apnea can cause memory loss, morning headaches, irritability, depression, decreased sex drive and impaired concentration. Sleep apnea patients have a much higher risk of stroke and heart problems, such as heart attack, congestive heart failure and hypertension. Sleep apnea patients are also more likely to be involved in an accident at the workplace or while driving.
Signs of Sleep Apnea
- Unintentionally falling asleep during the day
- General daytime sleepiness
- Unrefreshed sleep
- Fatigue
- Insomnia
- Waking from sleep with a choking sound or gasping for breath
- Loud snoring
- Unintentionally falling asleep during the day
- General daytime sleepiness
- Unrefreshed sleep
- Fatigue
- Insomnia
- Waking from sleep with a choking sound or gasping for breath
- Loud snoring
Answer our brief sleep questionnaire if you are concerned about undiagnosed sleep apnea.
A sleep study can diagnose sleep apnea. The options for treatment are a CPAP machine or an oral appliance which can be made by your dentist. If you have been diagnosed with sleep apnea and want to learn about an alternative treatment to wearing a CPAP machine please ask for more information at your next visit.
