A Simplified Guide to Obstructive Sleep Apnea Treatment

Many people suffer from sleeping disorders. Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a common sleeping disorder for thousands of people. It is a condition where your breathing cycle stops temporarily and is involuntary during sleep. It occurs when the throat muscles collapse and block your airway while you sleep. A noticeable sign of OSA is usually snoring. More than 90% of the people with this condition do not even know they have it. Symptoms include a feeling of exhaustion, sleepiness, and tiredness during the day.

If left untreated, obstructive sleep apnea can put you at a higher risk of developing severe cardiovascular issues, increased blood pressure, and more. The condition is easily treatable and sleep specialists offer several treatment options.

If you have obstructive sleep apnea symptoms, visit Hammond Pond Dental Group for treatment.

Causes of Obstructive Sleep Apnea

Although there are no known causes of sleep apnea, some factors put you at a greater risk of the condition. They include:

• Large tongue
• Obesity
• High blood pressure
• Large tonsils
• The expansive size of the collarbone, usually above 17 inches for men and 16 inches for women
• The upper jaw protrudes farther than the lower jaw.

Symptoms of Obstructive Sleep Apnea

Loud Snoring is a significant sign of obstructive sleep apnea. Nonetheless, not everyone that snores are suffering from OSA. The other symptoms associated with OSA are;

• Morning headache
• Excessive daytime drowsiness
• Chronic fatigue
• Lack of concentration
• Waking up gasping during sleep
• Dry mouth when waking up
• Swelling in the legs
• High blood pressure
• Depression
• Forgetfulness

Some of these symptoms are not immediately noticeable to yourself and can only be detected by your partner when you sleep. You should visit a dentist or sleep specialist once you observe several symptoms.

How is Obstructive Sleep Apnea Diagnosed?

To make a proper diagnosis, your doctor will first evaluate your signs and symptoms and then conduct an examination and tests. In some cases, your doctor may refer you to a sleep center for further tests. At a sleep center, you spend the night there for monitoring.

The doctor can use several tests to determine whether your signs indicate obstructive sleep apnea. The tests include;

• Polysomnography

A piece of equipment monitors your lungs, heart, and brain activity plus breathing patterns, blood oxygen levels, and arm and leg movements while you sleep. The test runs all night or partially as a split-night sleep study. This test is comprehensive since it detects other sleep disorders.

• Home sleep apnea testing

Your doctor may provide you with some equipment to use at home to diagnose OSA. The test also measures breathing patterns, blood oxygen levels, snoring intensity, airflow, and possibly limb movements.

What are the Best Treatment Options for Obstructive Sleep Apnea?

Once the doctor determines that you suffer from sleep apnea, several treatment options are available. The doctor will help you choose the best option based on your results and medical history.

There are two treatment options available for OSA. They are lifestyle modification and clinical options. First, the dentist recommends lifestyle changes, and if that doesn’t work then the next thing to try is clinical methods.

Treatment via Lifestyle Changes

• Regular exercises
• Quit smoking
• Avoid overindulgence in alcohol
• Avoid sedative medications like anti-anxiety pills or sleeping pills
• Take allergy medications
• Start a weight loss program

Treatment via Clinical Methods

If the lifestyle changes fail to yield substantial results, then the doctor may recommend several clinical methods which are highly effective.

• Continuous Positive Airway Pressure Machine (CPAP)

A CPAP machine functions by applying airway pressure during sleep, thereby preventing interruptions that occur in breathing. The gadget resembles an air mask worn by pilots. It forces pressurized air down your throat to prevent the throat muscles from relaxing involuntary.

There are several types that you can use. Some are obtainable over the counter, while others are custom-made depending on your preferences and condition. Your dentist will help you to choose the ideal mask.

• Surgery

Surgery is usually the last resort when all other techniques are unsuccessful because it’s very invasive. Surgical operations that can help include tonsillectomy or adenoid removal. Also, they may conduct jaw surgery when the former is ineffective. Jaw surgery entails repositioning your jaw.

Conclusion

It is essential that you visit a dentist who specializes in sleep apnea or a doctor as soon as possible if you have any symptoms of OSA since it can negatively affect your physical and emotional health when left untreated. The doctor helps to diagnose the condition and will help you find the right solution.