Sleep Apnea Sleep apnea can negatively impact a patient's health in remarkable ways. It is a chronic disorder that presents itself with a variety of different symptoms. There are many cases where the patient is unaware they have sleep apnea, while still others where the patient wakes up gasping for breath or feeling like they are being smothered. Thankfully, there are various treatments available to address this disorder.Sleep apnea is a very serious sleep disorder which warrants attention immediately. Please contact Brian K. Dennis, DDS to find out more or to schedule an evaluation to determine if you are suffering from sleep apnea. Different Types of Sleep ApneaSleep apnea is far more common than most people think. This sleep disorder involves frequent breathing disruptions while the patient is in the sleep cycle. This can be caused by a physical deformity or abnormality, or in some cases it can be caused by improper brain signals which trigger the muscles needed for breathing. Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is the type of apnea involving a physical obstruction to the proper airflow needed for breathing.This is the most common type of sleep apnea. The second type is known as central sleep apnea (CSA) and occurs when the brain fails to send the appropriate signals to the muscles required for breathing. For some patients, they can experience both types at the same time. For those patients, they are suffering from complex sleep apnea syndrome or CSAS. Sleep apnea is the interruption of a patient's breathing cycle while they sleep. Due to patients never getting a full night's sleep, they are drowsy much of the time and can suffer from other serious ailments too. Symptoms of Sleep ApneaPatients might have multiple symptoms which can be indicative of sleep apnea. These can include loud snoring and waking up a lot during their sleep cycle. Waking with dry mouth, headaches, difficulty sleeping, and irregular sleeping habits are also symptoms of sleep apnea. What are the Risks?Interestingly enough, sleep apnea can strike anyone at any time. It can even impact children. There are some who never show outward signs of sleep apnea but still suffer from this disorder. There are a number of factors which can raise the likelihood a patient develops the disorder. Those who smoke tobacco products or have a family history of sleep apnea are far more likely to get it than those who do not. Those who have abnormally large necks, drink alcohol, have nasal congestion, or a history of heart disorders or stroke can also develop this debilitating disorder. What are the Treatments?Sleep apnea can lead to more serious problems for the patient. Treatments are dependent upon the complex nature of the sleep apnea condition. Obviously, the goal of any treatment is to restore normal breathing to help restore the normal sleep cycle of the patient. The treatment will help to relieve fatigue and lower the risk for cardiovascular conditions or stroke. Anyone interested in finding out more about sleep apnea and the available treatments, should contact our office for an evaluation. Call Brian K. Dennis, DDS today at 505-292-1051. |
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