When you think of sleep apnea or if you are experiencing excessive snoring going to a dentist to help correct this issue would not be your first thought. However, thanks to advancements in dentistry your dentist has the technology and the tools to assist you with correcting your sleep apnea. Sleep apnea is a condition that is caused by brief interruptions in your normal breathing patterns that occur while you’re sleeping. Although, your breathing is disrupted for a short period of time or a few seconds this is still a major concern. The main reason being is that this health issue is connected to heart disease. Also, it’s important to note that there are two types of sleep apnea review the information below to learn more:
Types of Sleep Apnea
- Central Sleep Apnea (CSA): Central Sleep Apnea occurs when the brain stops sending the right signals to the muscles associated with breathing causing your normal breathing to abruptly stop. Patients with CSA may fall asleep involuntarily during the day and may experience major fatigue.
- Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA): Obstructive Sleep Apnea occurs when the soft tissue at the back of the throat collapses during sleep. A fully or partially obstructed airway can cause the sleeper to wake up suddenly short of breath. Choking sounds or heavy snoring are an indicator for OSA.
Both forms of sleep apnea are a major concern because they can lead to insomnia and even more so they can cause distinctive lifestyle disruptions and affect the patient’s daily activities and quality of life.
Sleep Apnea Care From a Dentist
If you are suffering from sleep apnea the best thing to do would be to reach out to your dentist to see what they recommend and what kind of treatment plan they can customize for your sleep apnea case.