What Is Sleep Apnea?
Sleep apnea (AP-ne-ah) is a common disorder in which you have one or more pauses in breathing or shallow breaths while you sleep.
Breathing pauses can last from a few seconds to minutes. They often occur 5 to 30 times or more an hour. Typically, normal breathing then starts again, sometimes with a loud snort or choking sound.
Sleep apnea usually is a chronic (ongoing) condition that disrupts your sleep. You often move out of deep sleep and into light sleep when your breathing pauses or becomes shallow.
This results in poor sleep quality that makes you tired during the day. Sleep apnea is one of the leading causes of excessive daytime sleepiness
Sleep apnea is a chronic condition that requires long-term management. Lifestyle changes, oral appliance therapy, surgery, and/or breathing devices can successfully treat sleep apnea in many people. An oral appliance may help some people who have mild to moderate sleep apnea or who are CPAP intolerant. Your doctor also may recommend an appliance if you snore loudly, but don’t have sleep apnea.
A dentist can make a custom-fit appliance for treating sleep apnea. The appliance will adjust your lower jaw and your tongue to help keep your airways open while you sleep.
If you use an appliance, tell your doctor if you have discomfort or pain while using the device. You will need periodic office visits so your doctor can adjust your appliance to fit better.
What is Snoring?
You snore when the flow of air from your mouth or nose to your lungs makes the tissues of your throat vibrate when you sleep. This can make a loud, raspy noise. Loud snoring can make it hard for you and your partner to get a good night’s sleep.
You may not know that you snore. Your bed partner may notice the snoring and that you sleep with your mouth open. If snoring keeps you or your bed partner from getting a good night’s sleep, one or both of you may feel tired during the day.
Snoring may point to other medical problems, such as obstructive sleep apnea. Sleep apnea can be a serious problem, because you stop breathing at times during sleep. So if you snore often, talk to your doctor about it.
Snoring is more common in men than in women.
The Connection Between Sleep Apnea and Snoring
What causes snoring?
When you sleep, the muscles in the back of the roof of your mouth (soft palate), tongue, and throat relax. If they relax too much, they narrow or block your airway. As you breathe, your soft palate and uvula vibrate and knock against the back of your throat. This causes the sounds you hear during snoring.
The tonsils and adenoids may also vibrate. The narrower the airway is, the more the tissue vibrates, and the louder the snoring is.
Call the team at Summit Dental of La Mesa at (619) 494-2492 for a consultation to develop an effective snoring treatment plan and help you get restful sleep
Sleep-Apnea-Snoring FAQs
Is snoring always a sign of sleep apnea?
Snoring and sleep apnea occur together most of the time, but snoring is not always an indicator of sleep apnea. However, treatments for both conditions, such as oral appliances, are the same. They all aim to widen the airways to prevent snoring and sleep apnea.
Can someone be diagnosed with sleep apnea even if they don’t snore?
Snoring and sleep apnea go hand in hand most of the time, but doesn’t necessarily have to be so. Anyone can have sleep apnea. Therefore, if you have sleep issues, you must have a sleep study conducted to determine the possibility of apnea. Dr. Richard Evans will help you deal with sleep apnea if you live in and around La Mesa, CA.
What is the difference between a CPAP machine and an oral appliance?
The CPAP is a very effective treatment for sleep apnea, but most people find it uncomfortable and inconvenient due to the mask and the noise. Thus, most people discontinue treatment after a while. A popular alternative to the CPAP is the oral appliance, which is small and portable and provides similar results in a more comfortable fashion.
How long does it take to adapt to the oral appliance?
It will take a few days to get used to having something in your mouth as you sleep, but most patients will adapt to the oral appliance within five to 10 days.
For how long will I have to wear the oral appliance?
Sleep apnea is unlikely to disappear with time. Your oral appliance will probably have to be worn for life. However, certain lifestyle changes, like significant weight loss, may improve your condition.
What is sleep apnea?
Dr. Richard Evans and his dedicated dental team at Summit Dental of La Mesa in La Mesa, California, describe sleep apnea as a sleeping disorder that causes a patient to stop breathing repeatedly during sleep. This can happen hundreds of times each night, leading to continued disrupted sleep and other health problems.
How does snoring relate to sleep apnea?
Snoring is typically associated with sleep apnea but doesn’t necessarily mean a patient has this condition. When patients have obstructive sleep apnea, snoring is often louder and more frequent due to the partially blocked airway.
Is snoring always a sign of obstructive sleep apnea?
Not necessarily. Snoring is caused by various factors such as allergies, sinus infections, alcohol consumption, or sleeping position. However, loud and chronic snoring could be a symptom of sleep apnea and should always be evaluated by a medical professional.
What are some of the risk factors for developing sleep apnea?
Some common risk factors that can contribute to sleep apnea include:
- Obesity
- Family history
- Smoking
- Aging
- High blood pressure
- Heart disease
What are the treatment options available for sleep apnea?
Treatment options for sleep apnea may vary depending on the severity of the condition. Some common methods include:
- Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) machine. This device provides a constant stream of air through a mask worn over the nose and mouth, keeping the airway open during sleep.
- Oral appliances. A dentist customizes these devices to fit over the teeth and help keep the airway open.
- Lifestyle changes. Maintaining a healthy weight, quitting smoking, and avoiding alcohol before bedtime can all help improve symptoms of sleep apnea.
- Surgery. In some unique situations, surgery might be necessary to remove some excess tissue in the throat or to correct structural issues in the airway.
What are the potential health risks and consequences of untreated obstructive sleep apnea?
If this condition is left undiagnosed and even untreated, it might lead to a variety of serious health problems, including:
- High blood pressure
- Heart disease
- Stroke
- Diabetes
- Depression and other mental health disorders
- Daytime drowsiness and fatigue which lead to an increased risk of accidents
Who can I call to learn more about sleep apnea and snoring in La Mesa, California?
Summit Dental of La Mesa offers oral appliance therapy, which assists with treating obstructive sleep apnea. If you have received a diagnosis and would like to talk to a professional about your options, we welcome you to schedule an appointment at our practice to learn more. Call (619) 494-2492 to request an upcoming visit to 8530 La Mesa Boulevard, Suite 204.
