Sleep Apnea
Sleep apnea is a sleep disorder characterized by the repeated stopping and starting of breathing. It is common among patients who snore frequently during sleep, as snoring often occurs when the tongue falls back and blocks the airway.
Types of Sleep Apnea
There are several types of sleep apnea, including:
- Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) – This is the most common form of sleep apnea. It occurs when the throat muscles relax completely, narrowing the airway.
- Central Sleep Apnea (CSA) – CSA happens when the brain fails to send proper signals to the muscles that control breathing.
- Complex Sleep Apnea Syndrome (Treatment-Emergent Central Sleep Apnea) – This condition involves a combination of both obstructive and central sleep apnea.
Why Sleep Apnea Therapy?
Sleep apnea therapy is essential because untreated sleep apnea can lead to serious health issues, such as:
- Daytime Fatigue – Repeated awakenings caused by sleep apnea can disrupt your sleep cycle, making it difficult to get a full night's rest.
- Heart Problems – The restricted breathing from sleep apnea limits the amount of oxygen in your blood, which can increase blood pressure and raise the risk of stroke and heart attacks.
Sleep Apnea Therapy in Dentistry
Sleep apnea therapy helps reduce these risks and enables you to achieve restful sleep. Various treatments for sleep apnea exist, such as Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) machines and Expiratory Positive Airway Pressure (EPAP) devices. In dentistry, we offer a special oral device, a removable mouth guard worn over the teeth, designed to move the jaw forward to open up the throat, making breathing easier during sleep.