Do you often find yourself startled awake in the middle of the night, gasping for breath? Are you consistently exhausted in the mornings, despite going to bed early? These could be signs of sleep apnea, a condition affecting millions of Americans each night.
Watch for Signs in Loved Ones
Even if you don’t experience these symptoms, your spouse or children might. If you notice long pauses in their breathing while they sleep or if they seem to struggle for breath, they might it.
Understanding It
It is a sleep disorder characterized by abnormal breathing patterns. People with this condition may stop breathing for seconds or even minutes, occurring 5 to 30 times per hour. This interruption causes carbon dioxide to build up in the bloodstream, signaling the brain to wake up. As a result, sufferers cannot achieve a full night’s sleep.
Types
Obstructive
This type occurs when throat muscles relax, blocking airflow. Snoring is common in this case.
Central
Here, the brain fails to send proper signals to the muscles that control breathing.
Mixed
This type combines features of both Obstructive and Central sleep apnea.
Diagnosing It
You can determine the presence of sleep apnea with a simple test known as a Polysomnogram or “Sleep Study.” This study monitors and records various physiological changes during sleep, including muscle activity, eye movement, heart rhythm, and respiratory airflow. It helps diagnose different sleep disorders.
Addressing It
Sleep apnea can affect both adults and children and may go undiagnosed for years. If you frequently wake up at night or struggle through your days in a tired fog, you might have sleep apnea. At The Art of Dentistry VB, we can create a custom oral appliance, known as a mandibular advancement splint. This device shifts the lower jaw forward to open the airway and improve breathing.
Get in Touch
Contact The Art of Dentistry VB today if you have any questions about sleep apnea. We are here to help you find relief and improve your quality of sleep.