About Sleep Apnea
What is Sleep Apnea: An In-Depth Guide to the Sleep Disorder
Sleep is the most vital part of your day when you think about it. A good night’s sleep leads to good health, better focus, and a positive attitude throughout your day. Some of the world’s most successful leaders attribute their accomplishments to healthy sleep.
One of the scary things about sleep apnea is that you may not realize you have it. So if you feel fatigued during the day or loudly snore while sleeping, visit our sleep practice for a diagnosis.
Healthy Sleep Midwest helps treat thousands of patients suffering from sleep apnea and chronic snoring each year. Our dental professionals can help diagnose and resolve your sleeping disorder quickly and efficiently.
By scheduling an appointment today, you are one step closer to getting more sleep and increasing the daily quality of your life.
About Sleep Apnea
Sleep apnea is among the most dangerous sleeping disorders. When you have sleep apnea, you suddenly stop breathing during sleep.
Often, it leads to frequent snoring and chronic fatigue. However, it can also lead to a heart attack, heart failure, and high blood pressure.
Studies show that up to seven percent of men and five percent of women suffer from sleep apnea. Therefore, it is one of the most common sleep disorders experienced by adults. Sleep experts can diagnose your sleep apnea by examining your snoring volume, breathing patterns, and restlessness.
Note that there are three types of sleep apnea.
Obstructive Sleep Apnea
The most common type of this sleeping disorder is obstructive sleep apnea, characterized as blockages in your airways. This blockage is caused by soft tissue collapse in the back of the throat.
People with this disorder may gasp or move around a lot during sleep.
Central Sleep Apnea
Another form of this condition is central sleep apnea. This sleep relates to your central nervous system.
When you have central sleep apnea, your brain fails to inform your chest muscles to inhale air. Therefore, you experience shortness of breath and abnormal breathing patterns. Stroke victims and ALS patients have a higher risk of developing central sleep apnea.
Complex Sleep Apnea
The most critical sleep apnea condition is complex sleep apnea. Your doctors will diagnose you with complex sleep apnea if you have obstructive and central sleep apnea.
Typically, this disorder carries the worst sleep apnea symptoms.
What Causes Sleep Apnea?
Several risk factors contribute to the likelihood that you will experience sleep apnea in your life.
Obesity
By far, the most common cause of sleep apnea is being overweight. Medical studies show that over 50% of people with sleep apnea are overweight.
When you are overweight, it is easier for the soft tissue in your throat to collapse, blocking your airways. If you are unsure whether your weight will increase the risk of sleep apnea, measure the size of your neck. If its circumference is greater than 17” for a man or 15” for a woman, you have a higher risk of developing sleep apnea.
A natural remedy solution for obese sleep apnea patients is gradually and safely losing weight.
Narrow Throat
Sometimes, you have bad luck. For example, many people are born with a narrow throat, which causes breathing and sleeping disorders. Typically, if you have this issue, you will experience respiratory issues when you are younger.
Your doctor will alert you of your susceptibility to sleep apnea if this is the case.
What Is Sleep Apnea Treatment?
Before we get into how to treat sleep apnea, you need a doctor’s diagnosis. Our office performs sleep tests to diagnose your condition accurately. You can read more about that process here.
Losing Weight
Fortunately, there are a few ways you can treat your sleep apnea. The most effective home remedy is losing weight, which can help to eliminate the soft tissue collapse that causes sleep apnea. You will also have more energy during the day.
Cut Off Alcohol
Alcohol damages the tissues in your throat. We recommend avoiding alcoholic beverages to see if that allows you to get better sleep. Sleeping pills have a similar impact on the effectiveness of your sleep.