What is Sleep Apnea?
Sleep apnea is a sleep disorder in which a person’s breathing is interrupted repeatedly throughout the night. According to the National Sleep Foundation, sleep apnea affects as much as 20% of adults. Although it may be tempting to excuse sleep apnea as just bad snoring or being tired due to a busy life, sleep apnea is important to have diagnosed and treated.
Sleep apnea can be a potentially serious sleep disorder, causing long-term impacts on your health.
Breathe easy. Enjoy restful sleep.
About Sleep Apnea
While sleep apnea is now a commonly known term, what may be lesser known is that there are actually different types of sleep apnea. In it's most basic form, sleep apnea is a sleep disorder in which breathing repeatedly stops and starts. However, the causes, symptoms and even recommended treatment methods vary based on the type of sleep apnea present as well as the unique condition and health needs of the patient.
Continue reading to learn more about sleep apnea. For patients who are suffering from sleep apnea or experiencing any of the symptoms, please consult with your physician or book an appointment with Dr. EmmaLeigh Gordon at Hygge Laser Dentistry today. Relief and restful sleep for you (and your partner!) is available.
Types of Sleep Apnea
The three types of sleep apnea are as follows:
OBSTRUCTIVE SLEEP APNEA (OSA)
Obstructive sleep apnea is the most common form of sleep apnea. Obstructive sleep apnea is essentially a physical blockage of the airways. It occurs when the muscles in the throat relax, which then causes the airway to collapse. The "obstruction" of the airway and the resulting severity of the disorder can also be caused or increased by a variety of factors including inflammation, obesity or the size of tonsils. With obstructive sleep apnea, when the airway is blocked, the brain signals to you to wake up and start breathing again, which causes a harmful cycle of waking and sleeping repeatedly throughout the night.
Studies show that as many as 30 million people in the United States have sleep apnea. Furthermore, the prevalence of obstructive sleep apnea increases with age and is more prevalent among men than women.
CENTRAL SLEEP APNEA (CSA)
Rather than a physical blockage (as is the case in OSA), Central Sleep Apnea is caused by the failure of the brain to properly signal the muscles that control breathing. Central sleep apnea is less common and can also result from other health conditions or causes.
COMPLEX SLEEP APNEA
Complex sleep apnea is also known as "treatment-emergent central sleep apnea" and is as the name indicates. Though researchers are still growing in their understanding of complex sleep apnea, typically it involves the development of CSA symptoms during treatment for OSA.
Obstructive sleep apnea occurs when the airway is blocked and disrupts normal breathing patterns during sleep. Symptoms include loud snoring, daytime sleepiness, headaches and more.
Symptoms of Sleep Apnea
The symptoms of sleep apnea, regardless of the type, can overlap, which is why it is important to have a professional evaluation and diagnosis of the condition. And while loud snoring is perhaps the most well-known symptom of sleep apnea, not everyone who has sleep apnea snores loudly.
The most common symptoms of sleep apnea may be any or a combination of the following. Individuals may be able to determine if they experience some of these symptoms, but certain symptoms may only be detected by a sleep study or another person.
✓ Loud snoring
✓ Gasping for breath while sleeping
✓ Interrupted (or brief stopping of) breathing while sleeping
✓ Headaches in the morning
✓ Insomnia, or difficulty remaining asleep throughout the night
✓ Hypersomnia, or extreme sleepiness or tiredness during waking hours
✓ Irritability or lack of focus when awake
✓ Dry mouth, especially in the morning after waking
Individuals may be able to determine if they experience some of these symptoms, but certain symptoms may only be detected by a sleep study or another person. When left untreated, sleep apnea can become a potentially life-threatening condition. However, even a mild state of sleep apnea can diminish the quality of sleep, overall health and life you experience. If you or your partner recognize or suffer from any of these symptoms, please schedule an appointment with sleep and airway specialist, Dr. EmmaLeigh Gordon.
Additional Services
Sleep Apnea, Snoring & Airway Treatments
Hygge Laser Dentistry provides comprehensive, modern dental care in Ballard and serves the surrounding Seattle communities, including Shoreline, Edmonds, Crown Hill, Loyal Heights and Whittier Heights. Services include cosmetic and general dentistry, sleep apnea and airway treatments, TMJ therapy, facial aesthetics and more.
Looking for a dentist or sleep specialist near you in Seattle? Book an appointment at Hygge Laser Dentistry for a truly relaxing and transformative dental experience.
206.789.2555
7715 24th Ave. NW
Seattle, WA 98117