What is Sleep Apnea?

Snoring is a normal part of many people’s sleep habits; however, loud snoring along with trouble breathing may be a sign of a more problematic condition. Sleep apnea can lead to daytime drowsiness, high blood pressure, apnea, or depression. 

What is Sleep Apnea?

Sleep apnea is a sleep condition where breathing repeatedly stops and starts throughout the night. People with sleep apnea wake up frequently as the brain tries to restart breathing, but it is so brief that they do not remember it the following day. This results in feelings of fatigue even after a whole night of sleep. 

Types of Sleep Apnea

There are three types of sleep apnea. To restart the breathing, the brain may briefly wake you up without you remembering, sometimes up to 30 times an hour. The types of sleep apnea are:

Obstructive Sleep Apnea

Obstructive sleep apnea is the most common form of sleep apnea. OSA happens when muscles supporting the soft palate relax, causing the soft palate to block the air passageway. 

Central Sleep Apnea

Central sleep apnea is caused by the brain failing to send proper signals to the muscles that control breathing. Central sleep apnea is less common than OSA, often brought on by other neurological conditions. 

Complex Sleep Apnea

Complex sleep apnea is when someone has a combination of both obstructive sleep apnea and central sleep apnea. 

Sleep Apnea Symptoms

Sleep apnea symptoms may be hard to catch since you are sleeping when it happens. If you have someone who sleeps with you, they may report loud snoring, gasping, choking, snorting, or interruptions in breathing while you sleep. 

You, however, may notice some of the following symptoms: dry mouth or throat when you wake up, morning headaches, daytime drowsiness, repetitive awakenings throughout the night, trouble concentrating, or night sweats. 

Treatments for Sleep Apnea

Mild to moderate cases of sleep apnea may be treated through lifestyle changes such as quitting smoking, implementing a healthy diet, losing weight, or changing sleep positions. Most people with mild sleep apnea can resolve symptoms with these changes.

The most common for those who need a more proactive treatment is CPAP therapy. A mask over the face pushes a positive pressure of air to keep the airway open. Many people quit due to the mask being uncomfortable before long-term results. If the CPAP is uncomfortable, speak with one of our specialists to find a more comfortable solution. 

Take the Next Step

If you have further questions about wisdom teeth removal, we encourage you to schedule a consultation at Faces Fort Worth. Call us at (817) 927-1818 or fill out our online contact form. We look forward to taking care of you.