Sleep apnea is a condition where you stop breathing while asleep. It can happen if your airway is blocked or your brain does not control your breathing properly. Koreatown sleep apnea can affect anyone but the condition is more common in obese people, adults over sixty years, and patients with heart conditions like congestive heart failure. The disorder presents symptoms like tiredness when waking up, daytime sleepiness, unusual breathing patterns, insomnia, mood changes, and headaches. Kids with sleep apnea may have hyperactivity, loud snoring, bedwetting, night sweats, frequent arm or leg movements while asleep, and sleeping in unusual positions.
Types of sleep apnea
There are three main types of sleep apnea based on how they happen. These types include;
Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA)
Obstructive sleep apnea is the most common form. It occurs when your head and neck muscles relax as you sleep, making the surrounding tissue press on your windpipe. The ability of the air is obstructed to pass through the windpipe.
Central sleep apnea (CSA)
Central sleep apnea develops when there is an issue in your brain. In normal circumstances, your brain manages your breathing all the time. CSA occurs when your brain does not send signals to keep breathing-related muscles functioning. Central sleep apnea can result from heart failure, low blood oxygen levels, and nervous system damage, especially in your brainstem.
Complex sleep apnea
Complex sleep apnea is a combination of obstructive and central events.
Treatments for sleep apnea
Lifestyle changes
Lifestyle changes are vital to normalize breathing. These modifications are the first things your doctor will recommend when you have sleep apnea. Lifestyle changes may include developing healthy sleeping habits, following a heart-healthy diet, quitting smoking, managing weight, and limiting alcohol consumption.
Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy
Continuous positive airway pressure is the main treatment for sleep apnea. It involves providing a constant stream of positive-pressure air through a mask to keep your airways open. At first, the therapy may be uncomfortable. Ensure you have the right equipment and adjust your CPAP machine accordingly to avoid discomfort. You may experience nasal symptoms, but adding moisture to the air as it flows can help prevent them.
Surgery
Your doctor can recommend surgery if you have OSA to help widen your airway. Various surgical techniques can help stiffen or shrink obstructing tissue or eliminate excess tissue or enlarged tonsils.
Mandibular repositioning device (MRD)
A mandibular repositioning device is a custom-made oral appliance that doctors use on patients with mild or moderate OSA. The device holds your jaw forward as you sleep to expand the space behind your tongue to help keep your upper airway open, preventing apnea and snoring. MRD may cause side effects like jaw or tooth pain and potentially worsening temporomandibular joint disease.
Medications
Doctors can prescribe medications like acetazolamide, zolpidem, and triazolam to patients with CSA. These drugs may cause severe adverse effects, so they are not suitable for everyone.
Sleep apnea is a condition where you stop breathing while asleep. It occurs if your airway is blocked or your brain does not control your breathing properly. Schedule an appointment at WPD Dental Group for sleep apnea treatment to improve sleep quality.
