What Causes Sleep Apnea?

Is your loud snoring waking you or your family members up? Do you often wake up gasping for air? Do you wake up in the morning with a dry mouth, a headache, and extreme fatigue?

If these symptoms sound all too familiar, you should schedule an appointment with Dr. Neil Salesky to discuss sleep apnea treatment in Southington. 

What is sleep apnea, what causes it, and is it treatable? 

Here are the answers you are looking for.

What Is Sleep Apnea?

Sleep apnea is a serious disorder that affects a person's sleep. This condition affects the breathing pattern while sleeping, making you stop breathing for a few seconds. This happens multiple times during the night, making it almost impossible to get a restful night's sleep.

What Causes Sleep Apnea?

The research is still ongoing, but scientists have observed so far two main types of sleep apnea:

Obstructive Sleep Apnea

This is the most common type of sleep apnea and is caused by a blockage of the airway, usually from the muscle in the back of the throat. When these muscles relax too much, they cover the airway as you breathe it. Your brain notices that you're not getting enough oxygen so it's waking you up so that the airway opens again.

Central Sleep Apnea 

This type of sleep apnea is less common and occurs when your brain fails to send proper signals to the muscles that control breathing.

Is Sleep Apnea Treatable?

Sleep apnea isn't curable, but it can be managed. Your doctor will determine the type of sleep apnea you have and try to find the best treatment to control your condition. 

Keep in mind that certain people have a higher risk of developing sleep apnea. Your doctor will also look at factors such as your weight, your neck circumference, your family history, and age. They will also review the medication you are taking and whether you are smoking or using alcohol or sedatives. Based on this information, your doctor may also recommend some lifestyle changes in addition to regular treatment. 

Treatment for sleep apnea can include:

• Nightguard - This is a custom-made mouth device that can help keep your airway open while you sleep.

• CPAP - If your condition is more severe, you may need Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) therapy. This is a machine that delivers a constant flow of air through a mask while you sleep. 

We Can Help You Manage Your Sleep Apnea 

Finding the right treatment for sleep apnea can be a long process. We here at Southington Dentistry have a holistic approach and we'll analyze every aspect of your condition until we can find a solution that will allow you to rest at night. 

Whether you just learned that you have sleep apnea or if you've tried different treatments before and weren't satisfied with the results, Dr. Nell will help you find a personalized solution to your problem. 

All you have to do is reach out to us to request an appointment online.