Did you know that in the United States over ten million people suffer from a serious sleep disorder? Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) can leave a patient sleep deprived and at risk of developing a number of serious complications. Fortunately, we can recommend noninvasive treatment options to help you rest better. Do you need sleep apnea treatment?
Try Our Sleep Apnea Quiz
- True or False: Snoring may be a warning sign.
- True or False: Multiple factors can cause OSA.
- True or False: You may develop serious complications without treatment.
- True or False: We can help stop OSA episodes with an oral appliance.
Answer Key
- True. Sleep apnea occurs when the soft tissues in the throat and mouth become too relaxed during sleep, collapsing and cutting off airflow. The patient stops breathing for brief periods, only to be woken by the brain, with no memory of the hundreds of times this may occur each night. Snoring, daytime drowsiness, moodiness, and episodes of waking up choking or gasping for air may be warning signs of OSA.
- True. Common factors include throat size, congestion, obesity, age (55 and up), gender (male), and excessive alcohol consumption. The factors behind your sleep apnea will impact the type of treatment the doctor recommends.
- True. Over time, untreated OSA has been linked to depression, high blood pressure, stroke, and heart attack. However, by addressing the issue early on you can reduce the risk of these serious complications.
- True. The oral appliance looks very similar to a nightguard and is worn during sleep. The device actually repositions the jaw, moving it forward just slightly to ensure airways remain open. For more serious cases, we may prescribe a CPAP machine, which sends air through a hose to a mask over the nose and mouth, ensuring uninterrupted breathing.
