All You Need to Know About Sleep Apnea
May 21, 2018
Sleep apnea is a chronic condition that affects hundreds of thousands of individuals each year. Unfortunately, many cases remain undiagnosed and people find they are tired all day even after a full night’s sleep. At the Jacksonville Center for Prosthodontics and Implant Dentistry, we are committed to helping every patient live his or her best life, and we want you to be aware if you are suffering from sleep apnea.
There are three types of apnea:
- Complex sleep apnea syndrome
- Central sleep apnea
- Obstructive sleep apnea
The most common form, obstructive apnea, is caused by relaxing throat muscles that cut off your airway while you sleep. This can cause you to take wake up several times during the night. Most don’t even realize they are waking up but wonder why they can’t stop snoring and why they are tired during the day.
Symptoms of Sleep Apnea
The most common symptoms of sleep apnea include:
- Attention problems
- Insomnia
- Excessive sleepiness during the day
- Headaches in the morning
- Shortness of breath when you wake up in the night
- Loud snoring
- Episodes during the night where you stop breathing, as may be seen by another person
- Irritability
The main idea is that if you aren’t getting quality sleep, it’s difficult to function through your day, and sleep apnea can seriously affect the quality of your sleep.
Treatment Options
The most common and successful treatment for apnea is the continuous positive airway pressure device. When you sleep, you place a mask over you mouth and nose, and the CPAP machine gently blows air through the airway to keep your throat open throughout the night and keep oxygen levels high. When the CPAP is used as directed by your dentist or physician, it is a highly effective treatment.
Schedule Today
If you aren’t getting quality sleep and fear you may have some type of apnea, schedule an appointment with Dr. Gielincki to discuss your condition and treatment options today!