Sleep Apnea Specialist

What is sleep apnea?

Sleep apnea causes repeated pauses of breath during sleep. Many individuals with sleep apnea stop breathing hundreds of times throughout the night. These short pauses of breath can lead to a number of potentially serious complications, including hypertension (high blood pressure) and cardiovascular disease.

Are there different types of sleep apnea?

There are three main types of sleep apnea that can disrupt your quality of sleep:

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA)

Obstructive sleep apnea is, by far, the most common type. The condition occurs when the muscles in the back of your throat relax during sleep, causing the soft tissues to collapse and block your airways.

Central sleep apnea (CSA)

Central sleep apnea is the result of a miscommunication between your brain and the muscles that control breathing.

Complex sleep apnea

The rarest type, complex sleep apnea, happens when you have a combination of OSA and CSA.

What are the symptoms of sleep apnea?

Sleep apnea often leads to a wide range of uncomfortable symptoms, including:

• Loud snoring
• Gasping for air
• Morning headaches
• Daytime fatigue
• Irritability
• Difficulty concentrating
• Mood swings
• Abrupt awakenings
• Dry mouth

Many individuals don’t realize they have sleep apnea until a partner, roommate, or child comments on their excessive snoring. The earlier you receive a sleep apnea diagnosis, the sooner you can seek treatment and relieve your uncomfortable symptoms.

What causes sleep apnea?

While anybody can develop sleep apnea, certain risk factors can increase your chances, including:

• Being male
• Obesity
• Advanced age
• Tobacco use
• Excessive alcohol use
• Diabetes
• Hypertension
• Asthma
• A family history of sleep apnea

Individuals with narrowed airways and chronic nasal congestion are also far more likely to have sleep apnea than those with unobstructed breathing.

What are the treatments for sleep apnea?

The right sleep apnea treatment for you depends on the type you have. In most instances, patients with obstructive sleep apnea experience noticeable improvements in their sleep quality with oral appliances.

An oral appliance is a custom-made device that fits the exact shape of your mouth. The device fits perfectly over your upper and lower arches to gently pull your jaw forward. Carefully moving the jaw prevents the soft tissue in the back of your throat from collapsing and blocking your airways.

With a custom-made oral appliance, you can enjoy a more comfortable night’s sleep. Call DFW Absolute Dental or schedule an appointment online today to learn more.