Have you ever heard of a health condition called sleep apnea? Patients with sleep apnea usually face troubled breathing in their sleep. Frequent pauses in breathing characterize the condition. Sometimes, the patient would suddenly wake up gasping for air! This can be quite a traumatizing experience for anyone.

Most people with sleep apnea wouldn't even know that they're suffering from such a condition. But, their bedmate would definitely notice this due to the loud snoring and frequent pauses in breathing. In fact, they would be disturbed by this! However, certain physical signs could indicate that you're experiencing sleep apnea, which you should watch out for.

Signs and symptoms of sleep apnea

• Waking up with a sore throat 
• Pain in the facial muscles due to snoring
• Morning headaches that would last for a while
• Bruxism or grinding of teeth while sleeping
• Waking up feeling tired, which would make you feel lazy throughout the day. In most cases, the patient would feel too sleepy during the daytime due to lack of sleep.
• Lethargy would slowly start to set in, which leads to obesity. This, in turn, fuels sleep apnea as the size of the airway would reduce due to fat accumulation on the walls.

Obstructive sleep apnea

Obstructive sleep apnea or OSA is the more severe form of sleep apnea. It is characterized by the blockage of the airway due to the collapse of the roof of the throat. The patient would be unable to breathe in the middle of their sleep, due to which the brain signals the body to wake up. Patients who usually have this traumatic experience would find it shocking and wake up gasping for air.

Another form of sleep apnea, which is less severe, is called Central sleep apnea (CSA). In this condition, the brain malfunctions and wouldn't send appropriate signals to the lungs to inhale air.

Snoring

Snoring is experienced when there is significant resonance in the airway during inhaling and exhaling. When a person sleeps, the muscles of the body relax and loosen. In some individuals, the muscles of the throat relax a little too much and partially cover the airway. The opening for the movement of air would be reduced, which is why the resonance and vibrations in the throat increase. This results in snoring, which can be quite annoying to your bedmate.

What's the solution?

As we know by now, the partial or complete blockage of the airway is the reason behind snoring and sleep apnea. It may seem like a condition that has no comprehensive treatment option, but it does. CPAP or Continuous Positive Airway Pressure is a device that is commonly used to treat sleep apnea. It has a setup consisting of a continuous supply of oxygen through a pressurized tank and a mask that fits on the mouth and nose. The oxygen supply helps to maintain a positive airway pressure, which is how the collapse of tissues is prevented. The patient can breathe easily and even get a good night's sleep with the mask on.

Another solution is the mandibular advancement device. The oral appliance is fitted in place by a dentist, and it helps to bring the lower jaw forward, thereby expanding the airway's opening. It also prevents the collapse of the roof of the throat!

Call us or schedule an online appointment with Dr. Glenn for a consultation at our offices in Apple Valley or California City, CA.