Sleep Apnea Questions
San Diego, California
What is sleep apnea?
Sleep apnea is a condition in which you stop breathing during the middle of the night. Clinically, you are considered to have sleep apnea if breathing stops for at least ten seconds and five times an hour.
What are the types of sleep apnea?
The most common type of sleep apnea is a narrowing of the airflow channels at night resulting from the relaxation of the muscles that keep the channels open and the shifting of weight in the prone position. This causes what is known as obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). The other type of apnea is central sleep apnea. In central sleep apnea, the brain does not give the breathing order to the muscles that control breathing. This can happen as a result of brain damage or heart failure.
What causes obstructive sleep apnea?
In children, obstructive sleep apnea can be caused by swollen tonsils, but in adults there are several causes for obstructive sleep apnea. One is obesity. Excess fat stored in the neck can constrict the throat and reduce airflow to the lungs. The other cause of obstructive sleep apnea is anatomy, especially jaw anatomy. Some people have airways that are narrower, jaws that are smaller, or tongues that are larger than average, and any one of these factors can be enough to restrict the airflow to the lungs. Jaws that are out of alignment as a result of TMD can also restrict airflow. In addition, sleeping pills or alcohol, which both relax the muscles that hold the airway open, can increase your likelihood of suffering from apnea.
Is there a relationship between snoring and sleep apnea?
Yes. Snoring is the sound of soft tissues vibrating as a result of restricted airflow. Although snoring may not be the result of significant airflow restriction, about 70 % of people who have sleep apnea also snore.
How can sleep apnea be treated?
The treatment for sleep apnea depends on the precise cause. Central sleep apnea treatment must be addressed to the brain or heart. Obstructive sleep apnea must address the factors responsible for the restriction of airflow. If you are overweight, weight loss may be the best treatment. If you tend to drink or take pills before bedtime, you might consider taking them out or moving them to earlier in the evening. If your anatomy is the primary cause, there are many options available, ranging from the mundane to the severe:
- Sleeping with the head raised
- Sleeping with an oral appliance that keeps the airways open
- Adjusting the bite to reposition the jaw and end airway restriction
- Sleeping with a CPAP (Continuous Positive Airway Pressure) mask
- Surgical modification of the airway
Obviously, the treatment option that is best for you depends on the exact cause of your sleep apnea. Many people find the CPAP machine to be noisy and uncomfortable, and surgery to be too expensive, with a prohibitive period of downtime. However, most cases can be treated without resorting to these more drastic options. If you are suffering from sleep apnea, but don't know why, please contact us to set up your free consultation. Dr. Loye will examine your airway and determine the cause of your apnea before recommending the best treatment.
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