Disturbed sleep with episodes of breathlessness can be debilitating since it negatively impacts your sleep. Such persistent nocturnal episodes require attention since you may be suffering from a medical condition known as sleep apnea.
The Memphis, TN dentist and their team can help you understand sleep apnea better to seek timely medical care to enhance the quality of your sleep and overall well-being.
What is meant by sleep apnea?
The word “apnea” means breathless, and sleep apnea is a clinical condition characterized by disturbed sleep during the night due to cessation of normal breathing. It is a chronic condition that occurs due to the lack of oxygen which in turn activates a survival reflex in your body that wakes you up from sleep. This can help you resume breathing, but can greatly interrupt your normal sleep cycle. Over a while, untreated sleep apnea can have other debilitating consequences like increased strain on your heart.
There are three types of sleep apnea, namely:
- Obstructive
- Central
- Complex
What causes sleep apnea?
Depending on the type, sleep apnea can be caused by the following:
- Obstructive sleep apnea
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- Airway obstruction due to relaxation of the muscles of the head and neck while you are asleep.
- Central sleep apnea
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- Heart failure
- Hypoxia (low blood oxygen levels)
- Nervous system damage
- Complex sleep apnea
- Due to a combination of any of the causes of obstructive and central sleep apnea.
What are the signs and symptoms of sleep apnea?
Sleep apnea can be characterized by any of the following signs and symptoms:
- Snoring
- Waking up frequently at night
- Fatigue on waking up
- Daytime sleepiness
- Headaches, especially when waking up
- Trouble concentrating
- Memory loss
- Unusual breathing pattern
- Insomnia
- Night sweats and heartburn
- Sexual dysfunction
How is sleep apnea treated?
Based on the type of sleep apnea, and the severity of your symptoms, possible treatment options include:
Non-surgical method: For mild cases
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- Conservative treatment
- Weight loss
- Changing sleep positions
- Nasal sprays
- Medications
- Positive airway pressure (PAP) and adaptive ventilation
- Oral appliances
- Conservative treatment
- Nerve stimulators
Surgical method: For severe cases
- Somnoplasty
- Nasal surgery
- tonsillectomy/ adenoidectomy
- Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UPPP)
- Jaw surgery
Keynote
Sleep apnea is a widespread condition that disrupts your breathing while you are asleep. If left untreated for a long time, it can lead to serious complications like high BP, heart failure, stroke, diabetes, and behavioral disorders. Thus early diagnosis and treatment are crucial to improve your quality of life.
