If you have been waking up feeling ill-rested, despite having plenty of sleep, or a partner has begun complaining about your snoring, you might want to find out if you have sleep apnea in Oshawa.
What is Sleep Apnea? How Is It Different from Snoring?
Although people with sleep apnea may snore loudly, it is different from snoring, which tends to be loud and continuous. Sleep apnea is a sleep disorder where breathing is interrupted, sometimes hundreds of times a night.
Consequently, breathing can slow or stop for several seconds until the body registers the falling oxygen levels and prompts breathing to resume. This can occur with a loud gasp or snort.
Even if breathing stops, it’s often not enough to fully awaken the sufferer. However, it does prevent deep, restorative sleep needed for good health.
The most common form of sleep apnea is obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), in which the throat muscles relax during sleep, causing the airway to partially or fully collapse and become constricted or blocked.
Potential Problems Caused by OSA
People with obstructive sleep apnea or OSA will often awaken feeling unrefreshed. They may feel sleepy throughout the day and be unable to concentrate. This can increase the risk of accidents while operating machinery or driving.
Sleep apnea can affect overall health, increasing the risks of suffering from high blood pressure, heart problems and metabolic syndrome.
How Can I Tell If I Have Sleep Apnea?
If a sleeping partner complains that you are snoring loudly or has noticed you frequently pause for breath, it could be a sign that you have OSA. Other symptoms include waking up with a dry mouth or headache, and feeling tired and irritable.
How Is Sleep Apnea Diagnosed?
Sleep apnea requires a sleep study, called a polysomnogram, for proper diagnosis. During a sleep study, you would normally stay overnight in a clinic, where sensors are attached to your body to monitor your vital signs while you are asleep.
A sleep study is entirely painless and non-invasive. The results are analyzed to determine whether you have sleep apnea and, if so, its severity. Sleep apnea can be mild, moderate or severe.
How We Can Help
If you have been diagnosed with mild or moderate sleep apnea in Whitby, book an appointment with our dentist at Margolian Dentistry. We can treat mild to moderate sleep apnea in Ajax using a custom-made night splint.
A custom-made night splint is an oral appliance that fits comfortably in your mouth and moves your lower jaw slightly forwards. This helps prevent your tongue from flopping back during sleep, keeping your airway open so you can rest more comfortably.
What If I Have More Serious Sleep Apnea?
The treatment for more severe sleep apnea is usually a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machine. This has a mask that fits over your nose, delivering a continuous flow of oxygen into your airway to help keep it open.
Although CPAP machines are very effective, not everyone can tolerate them well. If you find it too hard to use, an oral appliance could be an alternative.
Additionally, your GP may suggest other ways to help manage more serious sleep apnea, such as lifestyle modifications. These may include cutting out or reducing stimulants like coffee and alcohol, or smoking.
