SLEEP apnea (AP-ne-ah) is a common disorder in which you have one or more pauses in breathing or shallow breaths while you sleep.
Breathing pauses can last from a few seconds to minutes. They may occur 30 times or more an hour. Typically, normal breathing then starts again, sometimes with a loud snort or choking sound.
Sleep apnea usually is a chronic (ongoing) condition that disrupts your sleep. When your breathing pauses or becomes shallow, you’ll often move out of deep sleep and into light sleep.
As a result, the quality of your sleep is poor, which makes you tired during the day. Sleep apnea is a leading cause of excessive daytime sleepiness.
Sleep apnea often goes undiagnosed. Doctors usually can’t detect the condition during routine office visits. Also, no blood test can help diagnose the condition.
Most people who have sleep apnea don’t know they have it because it only occurs during sleep. A family member or bed partner might be the first to notice signs of sleep apnea.
The most common type of sleep apnea is obstructive sleep apnea. In this condition, the airway collapses or becomes blocked during sleep. This causes shallow breathing or breathing pauses.
When you try to breathe, any air that squeezes past the blockage can cause loud snoring. Obstructive sleep apnea is more common in people who are overweight, but it can affect anyone. For example, small children who have enlarged tonsil tissues in their throats may have obstructive sleep apnea. Central sleep apnea is a less common type of sleep apnea. This disorder occurs if the area of your brain that controls your breathing doesn’t send the correct signals to your breathing muscles. As a result, you’ll make no effort to breathe for brief periods.
Central sleep apnea can affect anyone. However, it’s more common in people who have certain medical conditions or use certain medicines.
Central sleep apnea can occur with obstructive sleep apnea or alone. Snoring typically doesn’t happen with central sleep apnea.
Central sleep apnea is a less common type of sleep apnea. This disorder occurs if the area of your brain that controls your breathing doesn’t send the correct signals to your breathing muscles. As a result, you’ll make no effort to breathe for brief periods.
Untreated sleep apnea can:
• Increase the risk of high blood pressure, heart attack, stroke, obesity, and diabetes;
• Increase the risk of, or worsen, heart failure;
• Make arrhythmias (ah-RITH-me-ahs), or irregular heartbeats, more likely;
• Increase the chance of having work-related or driving accidents.
Sleep apnea is a chronic condition that requires long-term management. Lifestyle changes, mouthpieces, surgery, and breathing devices can successfully treat sleep apnea in many people.
How is sleep apnea treated?
Sleep apnea is treated with lifestyle changes, mouthpieces, breathing devices, and surgery. Medicines typically aren’t used to treat the condition.
Mouthpieces
A mouthpiece, sometimes called an oral appliance, may help some people who have mild sleep apnea. Your doctor also may recommend a mouthpiece if you snore loudly but don’t have sleep apnea.
A dentist or orthodontist can make a custom-fit plastic mouthpiece for treating sleep apnea. (An orthodontist specializes in correcting teeth or jaw problems.) The mouthpiece will adjust your lower jaw and your tongue to help keep your airways open while you sleep.
If you use a mouthpiece, tell your doctor if you have discomfort or pain while using the device. You may need periodic office visits so your doctor can adjust your mouthpiece to fit better.
Other methods are lifestyle changes, breathing devices, and surgery.
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*Resources: US Department of Health and Human Services.
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Dr. Lovely Teodoro earned her degree with honors in Dental Medicine from National University, Philippines in 1995. She started her private practice upon graduating while simultaneously held a teaching position in the College of Dentistry, NU. For the past 20 years, her extensive dental training and experience continued from Philippines to California. Member of ADA, CDA, CCDA, Hercules Chamber of Commerce and Walnut Creek Chanmber of Commerce. For more details, please visit our website at www.lovelymanlapazteodorodds.com or call our office at The Dental Center of Hercules: 844 Willow Ave. Ste. A6, Hercules, CA 94547 / T: (510) 245-3004 or Ygnacio Valley Cosmetic Dentistry: 1479 Ygnacio Valley Rd. Ste 105, Walnut Creek, CA 94798 / T: (925) 979-9803.
