UNDERSTANDING SLEEP APNEA

You've heard of sleep apnea, but what is it exactly? Weill Cornell sleep specialist Dr. Daniel Barone explains what it looks like and how it affects your long-term health

01:55 - Source: CNN

WHAT IS

SLEEP APNEA

Sleep apnea is a sleep disorder that causes breathing to stop and start repeatedly during sleep. This can happen hundreds of times a night, and each time your breathing stops, your body is deprived of oxygen.

The two main types of sleep apnea are: obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and central sleep apnea (CSA).

  • Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is the most common type of sleep apnea. It occurs when the muscles in your throat relax and block your airway during sleep. This can happen due to a variety of factors, including obesity, large tonsils, a deviated septum, or a narrow jaw.

  • Central sleep apnea (CSA) is less common than OSA. It occurs when your brain doesn't send the signals that tell your body to breathe during sleep. This can happen due to certain medical conditions, such as heart failure or stroke.

Health Issues from

Risk of Untreated Sleep Apnea

Untreated Sleep Apnea has serious health related consequences.

A single night of poor sleep can leave you feeling tired, irritable and frustrated.

It’s important to see a doctor for diagnosis and treatment.

Risk of heart disease

Stroke

High blood pressure

Mental health problems

Depression

Headaches

Type 2 diabetes

ADHD

Obesity

Common Symptoms

of Sleep Apnea

OSA

Obstructive Sleep Apnea

  • Loud snoring

  • Gasping or choking at night

  • Daytime sleepiness

  • Morning headaches

  • Dry mouth

  • Reduced focus

  • Irritable and frustrated

  • Insomnia

CSA

Central Sleep Apnea

  • Breathing problem while sleeping

  • Feeling sleepy

  • Waking up in the night

  • Chest pain at night

  • Dry mouth

  • Experiencing chest pain

  • Hard time focusing

  • Morning headaches

Treatment

for Sleep Apnea

Oral appliance therapy is a treatment option for mild to moderate sleep apnea and snoring disorders. Sleep apnea occurs when the airway is obstructed, which can cause breathing to stop entirely for a few moments. This can lead to a number of health problems, including fatigue, daytime sleepiness, and high blood pressure.

Oral appliance therapy works by keeping the airways open while you sleep. A custom-made mouth guard advances the lower jaw slightly forward, which tightens the soft tissues and muscles of the upper airway. This prevents them from vibrating and from becoming an obstruction to your airway. The mouth guard also helps the tissues at the back of your throat relax and stop your tongue from rolling back.

Oral appliance therapy is a safe and effective treatment for sleep apnea and snoring. It is also a more comfortable option than other treatments for sleep apnea, such as CPAP.

If you think you may have sleep apnea, contact us at 413-570-4881 to learn more about oral appliance therapy. Dr. Darabi can discuss whether oral appliance therapy is right for you.