Sleep Apnea Treatment Spokane What is Sleep Apnea?Sleep apnea is a sleep disorder where you will repeatedly stop and start breathing throughout the night. If you are told that you snore loudly and you feel tired even though you had a full night's sleep, you could possibly have sleep apnea. If you think you have sleep apnea, you should consult our Spokane dentists at Northview Family Dental for a consultation. If it is determined that you do have sleep apnea, our team can provide treatments to ease your symptoms. Symptoms of Sleep ApneaThe most common symptom of sleep apnea is loud snoring. However, additional symptoms include episodes of not breathing (usually reported by someone else), gasping for air, waking up with a dry mouth, waking up with a headache, difficulty staying asleep, extreme sleepiness during the day, difficulty paying attention, and becoming irritable quickly. If left untreated these could cause serious issues in the future. Types of Sleep ApneaObstructive Sleep ApneaDuring sleep, the back of the throat will relax. These muscles are there to support the tonsils, the sidewalls of the throat, the tongue, the uvula, and the soft palate. With obstructive sleep apnea, when the muscles relax, your airway narrows and possibly closes, when you breathe in. This means you can't get enough air, lowering the oxygen level in your blood. Your brain will sense that you aren't able to breathe and will briefly wake you up, so briefly you won't remember it, to reopen your airway. You might gasp or choke when this happens, and it can repeat anywhere from five to 30 times per hour all night long. This will prevent you from being able to reach a deep sleep or stay asleep, leaving you feeling super tired in the morning. Some factors that increase your risk of obstructive sleep apnea include being overweight, having a thicker neck, being an older male, having a family history of sleep apnea, smoking, alcohol consumption, and nasal congestion. Central Sleep ApneaCentral sleep apnea is less common. It occurs when your brain doesn't transmit signals to your breathing muscles. You make absolutely no effort to breathe for a short period of time. You might wake up with shortness of breath, or you may have a hard time falling and staying asleep. Some factors that increase your risk of central sleep apnea include being an older male, having a heart disorder, using narcotic pain medicine, or having a history of stroke. ComplicationsSleep apnea can cause complications such as excessive daytime sleepiness, high blood pressure or heart problems, and liver problems. It can also increase your risk of Type 2 diabetes and complications with medicine or surgeries. Sleep Apnea TreatmentSleep apnea can be treated with oral appliance therapy devices that increase air pressure through a machine, supplemental oxygen, or a device designed to keep your throat open. There is also the option of a surgical procedure like tissue removal, jaw repositioning, implants, or a tracheostomy. Discuss options with our dentists to find the best treatment plan. When to See a DoctorIf your partner is constantly telling you how loud you are snoring, or they are explaining that you stop breathing several times throughout the night, it is time to talk with a doctor. You should also bring up any sleep problems you are experiencing that make you feel sleepy and irritable. Not sure who to contact if you think you have sleep apnea? Give Northview Family Dental a call at (509) 590-1763 to schedule an appointment to discuss the problems you are experiencing and receive Spokane Sleep Apnea treatment. We will be happy to help you out! |
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 LocationNorthview Family Dental 1121 E. Westview Ct. Spokane, WA 99218-1319 HoursM, W, TH: 7am-6pm T, F: 7am-4pm |
