Do You Have Questions About Sleep Apnea? Your Dentist Might Be Able to Help
You’ve come to the right place if you’ve heard of sleep apnea but are unsure of what it is. We at California Dental Group are available to address any queries you may have regarding this potentially dangerous disease. Call us at (800) 407-0161 to schedule an appointment if you have any more inquiries or would like to learn more about the available treatment choices.
Sleep apnea: What is it?
Let’s begin by answering the most basic and frequently asked question: what is sleep apnea? It is a respiratory disorder that can cause a person to breathe less frequently or more shallowly than is safe. Apneas, or breathing disruptions, can last a few seconds or even many minutes. Up to 30 of these can occur every hour.
Are there different levels of sleep apnea?
Yes. There are three different types of sleep apnea: central, obstructive, and complicated, which combines the first two. CSA is brought on by muscles not receiving the brain signals required to regulate breathing from the muscles. OSA is caused by excessive throat muscular relaxation. The most typical type, OSA, accounts for 84% of all cases of sleep apnea.
How many individuals experience sleep apnea?
About 22 million people have this sleep problem, and 80% of them never receive a diagnosis. The fact that it can be challenging to diagnose because it only happens while a person is sleeping is one of the reasons why so many individuals go misdiagnosed. It typically takes a partner or family member to inform the patient of their sleeping breathing habits. You can find out whether you have sleep apnea by seeing your dentist.
What effects does sleep apnea have?
The fundamental problem is that people who have sleep apnea don’t get enough sleep. You experience interrupted sleep and don’t receive the necessary amount of deep sleep. This can cause drowsiness during the day, which is more than just annoying; it can even have grave consequences such as poor work performance and drowsy driving. Serious illnesses like diabetes, high blood pressure, stroke, weight gain, and other conditions are also associated with sleep apnea.
Are sleep apnea treatment options available?
Yes. The most effective therapies will change depending on the patient. It should be noted that 70% of those who have sleep apnea are overweight. Therefore, doctors frequently advise patients to lose weight. To alleviate symptoms, they might also recommend a decongestant, an oral appliance, or a CPAP machine.
Call California Dental Group at (800) 407-0161 to schedule a consultation with a skilled dentist if you are concerned that you have sleep apnea and are ready for the treatment that will work for you.
