[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Are you someone that wakes up from sleep breathless? Do you snore? If you do, you could be suffering from sleep apnea. We want to educate you about sleep apnea and what solutions are available.
No matter your age, you could be suffering from sleep apnea. Sleep apnea is a medical condition that causes you to wake up multiple times during the night due to a lack of oxygen in the brain. Your body wakes you up to start a regular breathing pattern. People with sleep apnea find themselves thinking that they are getting a good night’s sleep when they really aren’t since they are being woken up during rem sleep.
Being tired during the day doesn’t necessarily mean that you are suffering from sleep apnea, but these symptoms listed below will give you a good indication if you are.
Symptoms of Sleep Apnea
- If you are excessively sleepy during the day
- Loud snoring that includes gasping, choking, and snorting
- Waking up in the morning with a headache
- Waking up in the morning with a sore throat and/or a dry mouth
These are just some of the basic sleep apnea symptoms that could indicate that you or someone in your family could be suffering from this medical condition.
Types of Sleep Apnea
There are ultimately two main types of sleep apnea, and you could be suffering from one of them. Obstructive sleep apnea occurs when something is blocking the airway from inhaling the amount of air needed. This type of sleep apnea is the most common. When experiencing obstructive sleep apnea, your throat muscles start to relax during sleep, causing an airway blockage.
Central sleep apnea is another type of sleep apnea. Central sleep apnea happens when there is a problem with the brain’s system that controls the respiratory muscles by making breaths slower and more shallow.
Treatments for Sleep Apnea
Depending on what type of sleep apnea you are experiencing, there is an option for treatment. In some cases, treatment options include lifestyle changes such as losing weight and sleeping on your side. One of the most common treatment options is having constant airway pressure. This is done by using a C-PAP machine.
This machine is designed to help the airflow into your lungs and your brain. Stopping storing and waking up during the night, the C-PAP machine prevents muscle relaxation and blockage in the throat.
If you suppose that you or someone you know has sleep apnea, it is important to come into our office, Complete Dental Care, to talk to Dr. Scarborough or Dr. Sampalis. If you are in Kellogg, Idaho, or Spokane, Washington, and have any questions, please give us a call! We look forward to helping you sleep better at night.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]