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Sleep Apnea Sleep apnea is a sleep disorder, sometimes serious, which occurs when breathing repeatedly stops and starts when you are asleep. There are three different types of sleep apnea, and each type can cause complications if it is not treated properly. If you wake up still tired or have been told you snore loudly at night, you may have sleep apnea. You also may have been told that you stop breathing while you are asleep. If you believe you have sleep apnea or have been diagnosed as having sleep apnea and want to explore your options for treatment, then we here at Bravo Smile can help you treat this serious health condition.Types of Sleep ApneaThere are three main types of sleep apnea. Obstructive sleep apnea is caused by the tongue or fatty tissues in the throat partially or completely block your airway while you sleep. This reduces blood flow to your brain and causes your brain to wake you up enough to realize you cannot breathe and adjust. This makes for a terrible night of interrupted sleep. Central sleep apnea is caused by your brain’s signals instead of the physical parts of your tongue and throat. The brain can have an interruption in the signals that control the muscles that keep you breathing while you are asleep. When this happens, the lack of oxygen will wake you in obstructive sleep apnea. Mixed sleep apnea, or complex sleep apnea, is when you have symptoms of both obstructive and central sleep apnea. You may be able to use a breathing machine to keep your airways from being obstructed, but your brain will still miss signals that keep you breathing while you are asleep. How Is Sleep Apnea Treated?The most common treatment for all types of sleep apnea is a breathing machine, usually a CPAP, or continuous positive airway pressure machine. A CPAP uses a comfortable amount of pressure to blow air into your airways while you sleep, keeping your tissues and tongue from blocking your throat. CPAPs are prescribed and monitored by a doctor and can be adjusted to the most comfortable and beneficial level for you. You may also be able to have sleep apnea treated with oral appliance therapy. In this case, we will create an appliance for you that will hold your mouth in a particular way that will prevent your airways from being blocked overnight. This is basically a mouthpiece that holds your lower jaw forward. It may help in the cases of minor obstructive sleep apnea without the need for a breathing machine or medication. Untreated sleep apnea can not only cause drowsy days but if left untreated can have other severe risk factors. High blood pressure and heart disease can be linked to untreated sleep apnea, as well as diabetes and some liver problems. Excessive daytime sleepiness can be a danger when driving, working, or even doing many things that are normal in your daytime routine. If you believe you are suffering from sleep apnea or have any of the symptoms, then please call us today at (971) 441-5987. Instead of letting sleep apnea control your life, let our caring professionals at Bravo Smile help you take back control of your health. |
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