What Is Sleep Apnea and Its Treatment? Understand the Basics
Sleep apnea is a sleeping disorder marked by irregular pauses in breathing or instances of abnormally low respiration during sleep. Each pause is termed an apnea, derived from the Greek word apnoia, meaning without breath. In normal breathing, these pauses are regular, but when they become irregular, it leads to sleep apnea. An irregular pause is known as hypopnea.
Symptoms of Sleep Apnea
People with sleep apnea may not realize they have it, but certain symptoms can indicate its presence:
– Insomnia: Difficulty falling or staying asleep.
– Restless Sleeping Patterns: Frequent tossing and turning.
– Choking or Gasping During Sleep: Sudden awakenings accompanied by gasping.
– Night Sweats: Excessive sweating while sleeping.
– Daytime Sleepiness: Feeling excessively sleepy during the day.
– Loud Snoring: Consistent and loud snoring.
– Breathing Difficulties: Trouble breathing while asleep.
Additional signs include fatigue, morning headaches, memory loss, difficulty learning new information, irritability, depression, mood swings, dry throat upon waking, and frequent nighttime urination.
Causes of Sleep Apnea
Sleep apnea often arises from fat accumulation or a loss of muscle tone, especially with age. The tracheal muscles, soft palate, and uvula may relax and collapse during breathing. This narrowing of the windpipe limits airflow to the lungs. A neuronal malfunction controlling respiration can also cause this disorder. Diagnosis is typically achieved through an overnight polysomnogram test.
Effects of Sleep Apnea
While it might seem minor, untreated sleep apnea can lead to significant health issues, including:
– Depression
– Sexual dysfunction
– Hypertension
– High blood pressure
– Irregular heartbeats
– Coronary heart disease
– Chronic heart failure
– Exacerbation of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
Types of Sleep Apnea
There are three types:
1. Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA): The most common form, characterized by physical airway obstruction. Common causes include obesity, small jawline, narrow airway, large tongue, or enlarged tonsils.
2. Central Sleep Apnea (CSA): A rarer form where the airway remains open, but the brain fails to signal muscles to breathe, leading to low oxygen levels and affecting body and brain functions.
3. Mixed Sleep Apnea (MSA): A combination of OSA and CSA, where symptoms of both types may manifest simultaneously.
Sleep Apnea Treatment
The right sleep apnea treatment depends on the severity of the condition and includes both therapies and surgical options.
Therapies
– Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP): A machine delivers air through a mask, maintaining open airways.
– Adjustable Airway Pressure Devices: Similar to CPAP but more advanced, these devices adjust air pressure during sleep.
– Adaptive Servo-Ventilation (ASV): This device learns and normalizes the breathing pattern during sleep, proving effective for some with central sleep apnea.
– Oral Appliances: Devices worn in the mouth to keep the throat open, often alleviating snoring and mild obstructive sleep apnea.
Surgical Options
– Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UPPP): Removes excess tissue from the throat to prevent airway blockage. While effective for snoring, it may not always resolve apnea.
– Maxillomandibular Advancement: This moves the jaw forward to widen the airway, often requiring collaboration with oral surgeons or orthodontists.
– Tracheostomy: A crucial surgery for severe cases, creating an opening in the neck for breathing directly into the lungs.
Understanding sleep apnea and its treatment is vital for managing this disorder. Proper intervention can significantly improve quality of life, alleviating symptoms and preventing severe health complications. For those seeking effective treatment, consulting healthcare professionals is essential to determine the most suitable approach.
For those in Hillsboro, Beaverton, and Portland, East Wind Hillsboro Dental Care offers expert services. Contact us at 503-614-0198 or visit us at 7546 NE Shaleen St, Hillsboro, OR 97124, USA, to learn more about our solutions for sleep apnea. Visit our website for further information.
East Wind Dental Care
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amily and Cosmetics Dentistry in Hillsboro, Oregon.
East Wind Dental Care Family and cosmetics dentistry in Hillsboro Oregon. We at East Wind Dental Care are committed to providing quality dental care to families located in the Hillsboro and Beaverton area and treat patients of all ages. We provide comprehensive solutions for our patients' oral health needs. Believing in the importance of listening to our patients, we take the time to truly understand each person's needs, goals, and lifestyle. By understanding our patients' objectives we can provide solutions that will improve their health while transforming their smile into something bright and beautiful. East Wind Dental Care at Hillsboro, Oregon provides a wide variety of dental services and procedures to address all of our patients' dental health needs. By combining quality patient care with up-to-date technology, we are able to treat patients of all ages in a comfortable and relaxing setting. Our website includes information on the following items: Dentist, Cosmetic Dentist, Family Dentist, General Dentist, Emergency Dentist, Dental Implants, Teeth Whitening, Dental Veneers, Dentures, Dental Crowns and more. Our Dentist and expert staff are trained to not only treat patients but to identify what caused the health concern in the first place. This comprehensive approach sets patients of East Wind Dental Care in Hillsboro on the road to recovery and long term oral health. When you walk into the office of East Wind Dental Care you will be immediately greeted by our friendly staff who are dedicated to making sure that you feel comfortable during your entire appointment. We understand that patients can feel anxious when going to the dentist, and our staff will take the time to listen to all of your concerns and help you understand exactly what your procedure is going to be like. At East Wind Dental Care we pride ourselves on being an affordable family dentist that accepts a variety of insurance plans and payment options like cash and credit cards, because we want to provide a beautiful, healthy smile to everyone in the Hillsboro, Beaverton, and Portland area. Call East Wind Dental Care today at 503-614-0198 to see why we are the dentist of choice in the Hillsboro, Beaverton, and Portland area.
Address: 7546 NE Shaleen St Hillsboro, OR 97124, USA
Phone: 503-614-0198 Call us today!
Website: https://www.eastwinddentalcare.com
Dentist in Hillsboro, OR - East Wind Dental Care provides general dentistry in Hillsboro. Make your next family dentist appointment at East Wind Dental Care. General Dentistry, Preventative Dentistry, Pediatric (Kids!) Dentistry, Cosmetic Dentistry, Tooth Replacement. Crowns and Bridges, Dental Implants & Mini Dental Implants Dentures (with specialty), Complete denture, Partial Dentures.
East Wind Dental Care
Family and cosmetics dentistry in Hillsboro Oregon.
We at East Wind Dental Care are committed to providing quality dental care to families located in the Hillsboro and Beaverton area and treat patients of all ages. We provide comprehensive solutions for our patients' oral health needs. Believing in the importance of listening to our patients, we take the time to truly understand each person's needs, goals, and lifestyle. By understanding our patients' objectives we can provide solutions that will improve their health while transforming their smile into something bright and beautiful.
East Wind Dental Care at Hillsboro, Oregon provides a wide variety of dental services and procedures to address all of our patients' dental health needs. By combining quality patient care with up-to-date technology, we are able to treat patients of all ages in a comfortable and relaxing setting. Our website includes information on the following items: Dentist, Cosmetic Dentist, Family Dentist, General Dentist, Emergency Dentist, Dental Implants, Teeth Whitening, Dental Veneers, Dentures, Dental Crowns and more. Our Dentist and expert staff are trained to not only treat patients but to identify what caused the health concern in the first place. This comprehensive approach sets patients of East Wind Dental Care in Hillsboro on the road to recovery and long term oral health.
When you walk into the office of East Wind Dental Care you will be immediately greeted by our friendly staff who are dedicated to making sure that you feel comfortable during your entire appointment. We understand that patients can feel anxious when going to the dentist, and our staff will take the time to listen to all of your concerns and help you understand exactly what your procedure is going to be like. At East Wind Dental Care we pride ourselves on being an affordable family dentist that accepts a variety of insurance plans and payment options like cash and credit cards, because we want to provide a beautiful, healthy smile to everyone in the Hillsboro, Beaverton, and Portland area. Call East Wind Dental Care today at 503-614-0198 to see why we are the dentist of choice in the Hillsboro, Beaverton, and Portland area.
East Wind Dental Care
Address: 7546 NE Shaleen St Hillsboro, OR 97124, USA
Phone: 503-614-0198 Call us today!
Opening Hours Mon - Fri: 8:00 - 17:00 and Saturdays with appointments.
Website: https://eastwinddentalcare.com/
Make an appointment online at https://eastwinddentalcare.com/contact-3/
