Sleep Apnea
Did you know that your mouth plays a central role in your quality of sleep? If you find yourself exhausted throughout the day even after a full night of sleep, you should consider a sleep apnea evaluation. Sleep apnea is a very common condition that affects an estimated 20% of people, according to the National Sleep Foundation, but the good news is that there are a variety of treatment options available. Call our office at (480) 607-6937 to schedule an appointment to learn more about our non-invasive options.
What Is Sleep Apnea
Sleep apnea is a sleep disorder characterized by pauses in breathing during sleep. These interruptions, known as apneas, can last for seconds to minutes and may occur several times throughout the night. The most common type is obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), where the airway collapses or becomes blocked during sleep, leading to disrupted breathing patterns. When this occurs, the body cannot receive the oxygen it needs during sleep. This limited oxygen can make you feel sluggish the next day, even with a full night of sleep.
Tired of Waking Up Tired?
If you find yourself waking up feeling fatigued, snoring loudly, or even if you’re told that you stop breathing when you sleep, you may have sleep apnea. Health complications aside, sleep apnea can deplete your energy and make it incredibly difficult to stay awake all day, participate in sports and physical activities, drive a car, and engage in social activities with family and friends. Extreme fatigue can also impact your work performance and make even the most simple of tasks, such as driving or cooking, become potentially dangerous.
Even if you don’t wake up throughout the night, you may have sleep apnea if you experience these symptoms:
- Daytime sleepiness
- Morning headaches
- Waking up with a dry mouth or sore throat
- Difficulty concentrating
- Loud snoring
- Irritability
- Slow reflexes
- Mood changes
- High blood pressure
What Are the Two Types of Sleep Apnea?
- Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA): OSA is associated with abnormalities in the shape and size of oral structures. In many cases, OSA develops when the jaw muscles lack the strength to support the bone adequately during sleep. This results in backward sliding of the jaw and tongue, thereby obstructing the airway. Additionally, thick soft palate tissue and a crowded oral cavity can exacerbate OSA.
- Central Sleep Apnea: In Central Sleep Apnea, the brain struggles to transmit the appropriate signals to the muscles responsible for breathing. This leads to instances where the body momentarily “forgets” to breathe until the brain successfully reaches the required muscles with the correct signals.
Sleep Apnea vs. Sleep Disorders
Insomnia:
This disorder makes it difficult to fall or stay asleep. Insomnia may either be a temporary issue or a chronic condition, but it can be treated effectively with medication.
Narcolepsy:
Narcolepsy is a serious sleeping disorder that causes unexpected bouts of sleep during the daytime, regardless of what a person is doing. This condition is dangerous and significantly impacts quality of life.
Restless Leg Syndrome (RLS):
RLS causes constant leg movement during the night due to persistent tingling and burning sensations. While it commonly affects pregnant women, anyone can get RLS. You can lower your risk by engaging in moderate exercise during the day.
Jet Lag:
If you frequently fly from one time zone to another, you may experience jet lag, a disorder that disrupts natural sleep-wake cycles. Jet lag can cause major fatigue and/or illness for weeks after a trip, but it often resolves itself after you return home.
Snoring
While closely linked to sleep apnea, snoring can have a variety of other causes. Depending on underlying factors, snoring can make it difficult to achieve restful sleep for everyone in the household.
What Causes Sleep Apnea?
The root causes of sleep apnea are also responsible for breathing problems during the day, such as:
- Structural abnormalities like a narrow throat or enlarged tonsils and adenoids
- Excess weight that increases pressure on the airway
- Neuromuscular factors that block signals from the brain to the muscles
- Being an older adult and male
- A family history of sleep apnea or related physiological risk factors
- The use of sedatives and alcohol
- Smoking and smokeless tobacco
Complications of Sleep Apnea
It’s no secret that sleep impacts every area of our lives. When you consistently get poor sleep, your health and quality of life suffer. In addition to causing excessive tiredness, sleep apnea can also contribute to:
- Cardiovascular Issues: High blood pressure, atrial fibrillation, stroke, heart attack, and heart failure
- Daytime Fatigue: Poor concentration, memory, and overall cognitive function
- Diabetes: Higher risk of insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes
- Liver Problems: Severe sleep apnea can lead to nonalcoholic fatty liver disease
- Mood Disorders: Depression, anxiety, and general mood instability
- Other Complications: Headaches, ADHD, and complications with anesthesia
Exploring Treatment Options
Scottsdale Family Smiles specializes in non-invasive treatment options to help our patients restore their sleep quality, but some cases may require a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machine or surgical intervention to fix anatomical obstructions. We provide:
