About Sleep Apnea

When does sleep apnea develop? What are its symptoms?

Obstructive sleep apnea happens when a patient’s airway becomes blocked during sleep, usually by the soft tissues at the back of the throat sliding over the airway opening. The patient stops breathing for a few seconds at most until they wake briefly to start breathing normally again.

A number of symptoms are associated with sleep apnea. A patient’s sleeping partner may complain about loud snoring, which occurs when air passes through the soft tissues over the airway. The sleeping partner may even notice the pauses in breathing. Additionally, patients with sleep apnea often experience headaches, dry mouth or sore throats upon waking up in the morning. They’ll feel fatigued even after sleeping for eight hours or more. They may also notice depression or irritability or have trouble focusing or paying attention.

Who is at risk for sleep apnea?

While anyone can experience sleep apnea, there are certain characteristics or lifestyle factors that increase the risk of this condition. They include:

• Obesity
• Gender: Men are more likely to have sleep apnea
• Congenital factors: Certain aspects of a patient’s body, such as having a narrow airway or small jaw, can increase the risk of sleep apnea.
• Smoking
• Alcohol use before bed
• Chronic nasal congestion
• Family history

Sleep apnea also can contribute to health issues like high blood pressure and heart disease and increase your risk of a stroke. The condition can have serious effects on your health.

How is sleep apnea treated?

There are different treatment methods to eliminate the symptoms and effects of sleep apnea. CPAP masks are very effective but also difficult to tolerate. Oral appliance therapy is another option that is comfortable and easy for patients to use. The most effective sleep apnea treatment is often the one that patients actually use on a daily basis. Various factors can determine which treatment option is most appropriate for a particular case, so patients should be evaluated by a specialist to learn which method is most likely to be successful for them.

To protect your health and well-being, it’s essential to be evaluated for sleep apnea if you’re experiencing symptoms of this condition. Schedule an appointment at our office to learn about your treatment options.