05 Aug Obstructive Sleep Apnea: Causes and Treatment
Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a common sleep disorder that can increase your health risks for serious conditions such as heart disease, diabetes, and stroke. Fortunately, there are comfortable treatment methods that make it possible to improve your quality of sleep and reduce your risks for developing other health concerns.
Symptoms and Side Effects of Obstructive Sleep Apnea
One thing that makes sleep apnea an insidious threat to your health and wellbeing is the fact that this condition’s most obvious systems manifest while you’re sleeping. Many times, it is family members and bed partners who detect symptoms well before a patient realizes that their quality of sleep is poor.
The most telling symptoms of OSA include loud and excessive snoring, gasping for air while sleeping, and erratic breathing during rest. Other common symptoms of obstructive sleep apnea include:
- Persistent fatigue – even after a full night of sleep
- Headaches – particularly in the morning
- Depressive and/or anxious episodes
- Irritability
- Difficulty with memory
- Impaired motor function
- Dry mouth and lips
Causes of Sleep Apnea
Obstructive sleep apnea can have a variety of causes. Common contributing factors to the development of sleep apnea include large neck circumference, bulky throat tissue, weight gain, smoking, drinking alcohol before bed, and widely used medications like sedatives and antihistamines. Some developmental and genetic abnormalities in oral anatomy can also contribute to sleep apnea.
Middle aged men are disproportionately affected by OSA but this condition can develop across all demographics and age groups.
Obstructive Sleep Apnea Treatment Options
Common treatments for obstructive sleep apnea include CPAP therapy, oral appliance therapy, and surgery. Our practice prescribes oral appliances for the treatment of sleep apnea. Treating OSA with oral appliances is comfortable, non-invasive, and low maintenance.
Oral appliances are worn inside the mouth like a retainer while a patient sleeps. These devices are tailor-made so that they fit comfortably. While you sleep, an oral appliance will gently position your lower jaw forward to widen your airway. This will prevent episodes of apnea so that you can get the rest you need to function your best.
Call Crosspointe Sleep Solutions today to reserve an OSA treatment consultation with our dentist.