What is Sleep Apnea?
“Apnea” — without breathing.This phenomenon occurs when a person repeatedly stops breathing during their sleep, and their body has to wake up in order to catch their breath. Quite frequently, sleep apnea happens without the person being aware and up to hundreds of times during the night. Obstructive sleep apnea is the most common type of sleep apnea. This can be very dangerous to an individual’s overall physical health and affect their quality of life.
Do I have Sleep Apnea?
If three or more of these apply to you, there may be cause for concern. Please let us know so that we can discuss this further.
- I have been told that I snore.
- I have been told that I stop breathing when I sleep, although I may have no recollection of this.
- I am always sleepy during the day, even if I sleep throughout the night, and get seven or more hours of sleep.
- I have high blood pressure.
- I have been told that I sleep restlessly. I am always tossing and turning while asleep.
- I frequently awaken with headaches in the morning.
- I tend to fall asleep during inappropriate situations.
- Others and/or I have noticed a recent change in my personality.
- I am overweight.
- The diameter of my neck is at least 17 inches (16 for women).
In contrast to just feeling tired, how likely are you to doze off or fall asleep in the following situations? Even if you have not done some of these things recently, try to work out how they would have affected you. Use the following scale to choose the most appropriate number or each situation.
0 = Would never doze
1 = Slight chance of dozing
2 = Moderate chance of dozing
3 = High chance of dozing
Situation
- Sitting and reading.
- Watching TV.
- Sitting inactive in a public place (e.g., in a theatre).
- As a car passenger for an hour without a break.
- Lying down to rest in the afternoon.
- Sitting and talking to someone.
- Sitting quietly after lunch (without alcohol).
- In a car, while stopping for a few minutes in traffic.
Chance of Dozing (0-3)
Total Score
0-10 normal
10-12 borderline
12-24 abnormal
More Information
Problems Associated With Sleep Apnea
Sleep apnea is very common and affects over 20 million Americans. It can strike anyone at any age. Because of the lack of awareness by the public and healthcare professionals, most people go undiagnosed and untreated. This can lead to significant health issues like high blood pressure and other cardiovascular diseases, memory problems, excessive daytime tiredness, weight gain, hormone imbalance, reproductive issues, sleeping issues, erectile dysfunction, impotency, diabetes issues, headaches, and many other health issues. It can also be responsible for job impairment and motor vehicle crashes.
Fortunately, sleep apnea can be diagnosed and treated.
What Causes Sleep Apnea?
There are many risk factors or causes of sleep apnea. Some are caused by your brain, and others are caused by some type of obstruction.
Obstructions can be the position you sleep, obesity, a thick neck or heavy chest, enlarged tonsils or tongue, as well as many other anatomical features, such as the soft palate or muscles of the throat that can impinge on the airway, causing it to be impaired during sleep. Small jaws and crowded teeth can also be common contributors to obstructive sleep apnea.
There are a number of other reasons for sleep apnea, which is why it is important to be screened by your doctor if you have any of the symptoms.
Some Symptoms or Signs of Sleep Apnea
- Active Congestive Heart Failure.
- Early Death.
- Hypertension/High Blood Pressure.
- Restless Leg Syndrome.
- Acid Reflux.
- Night Sweats.
- Snoring.
- Depression.
- Past Strokes.
- Narcolepsy.
- Frequent Night Time Urination.
- Irregular Heartbeat.
- Insomnia.
- Diabetes.
- Erectile Dysfunction.
- High Cholesterol.
- Oxygen Therapy.
- Chronic Lung Disease/Asthma.
- Bruxism/Grinding Teeth.
What Should I Expect During My Visits?
Your first visit will involve a review of your medical history and an oral exam to determine if you have any signs or symptoms of sleep apnea. From there, a home sleep study can be issued to you that day. Once your study is returned, sleep professionals analyze the data and determine the best treatment route for you as an individual.
How Is Sleep Apnea Treated?
There are a number of ways to treat obstructive sleep apnea, and a sleep test helps us to determine which treatment is best for you. One option is an oral appliance that comfortably repositions the jaw to allow more oxygen flow during sleep. Another option is a CPAP machine, which consists of a mask that forces oxygen into the airway. After visiting with our dentist, we will decide which treatment is best for you, but we find most people do well with a small, comfortable oral appliance.
Oral ApplianceOral appliances may be an effective treatment option for mild to moderate obstructive sleep apnea.
Does My Insurance Pay for This?
Not all insurances are the same, but we are here to help. We will check into your medical insurance to help you better understand the benefits you have for these services. This allows us to give you a quote for any expenses that you may have for devices delivered by our office.
With sleep apnea treatment in Norfolk, Nebraska, we can help you reclaim your restful hours at night and your productivity during the day. Contact us for a free consultation today!
SureSmile Clear Aligners
If you are looking for a simple, discreet way to straighten your smile, Dr. Kallie Krugman at Smiles Dental P.C. may recommend that you try SureSmile Clear Aligners.