Sleep Apnea Treatment

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Effective Sleep Apnea Treatment for Enhanced Quality of Life Westgate Dental Centre

Poor sleep quality can negatively impact your physical and mental health, leaving you tired and unfocused. In addition, sleep apnea, the most common cause of interrupted sleep, can increase stress and fatigue. Westgate Dental Centre provides effective sleep apnea treatment to help enhance your overall well-being.

In Canada, sleep apnea affects approximately 1 in every 15 individuals and can lead to serious health problems like cardiovascular disease, stroke, high blood pressure, and diabetes. Our sleep apnea treatment options are tailored to your specific needs and the severity of your condition, ensuring you receive the best possible outcome for your health and quality of life.

What Exactly Is Sleep Apnea?

Sleep apnea is a sleep condition marked by repeated pauses in breathing or shallow breathing while sleeping. These pauses in breathing can last from a few seconds to several minutes and occur several times per hour. The condition can cause disrupted sleep, fatigue, and other health problems.

Sleep apnea is classified into two types:

Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA)

OSA is the most common type and is caused by a physical blockage in the airway, typically from the tongue or other tissues in the throat.

Central Sleep Apnea (CSA)

CSA is caused by a failure of the brain to control the muscles used for breathing properly.

Sleep apnea can have severe physical and mental health consequences, including high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, depression, and other conditions. Therefore, early diagnosis and treatment are essential to manage the effects of sleep apnea and improve overall health and quality of life.

Signs and Symptoms of Sleep Apnea

Sleep apnea can cause a range of symptoms that can vary in frequency and intensity. However, some of the most common signs and symptoms of sleep apnea include the following:

Snoring: Loud and persistent snoring is a common symptom of sleep apnea, especially if pauses accompany it in breathing.
Excessive daytime sleepiness: People with sleep apnea often experience extreme fatigue during the day and have difficulty staying awake or concentrating.
Awakenings during the night: Individuals with sleep apnea may frequently wake up during the night gasping for air or feeling short of breath.
Headaches: Sleep apnea can cause headaches, primarily upon waking up.
Insomnia or difficulty falling asleep: People with sleep apnea may have trouble falling asleep due to frequent awakenings at night.
Irritability and mood changes: Sleep apnea can also cause irritability and mood changes, as well as depression and anxiety.
Dry mouth or sore throat: Sleeping with an open mouth due to sleep apnea can cause a dry mouth or sore throat.

It is essential to recognize that not everyone with sleep apnea will have all these symptoms, and some people may not. As a result, if you suspect you have sleep apnea, you should consult a healthcare specialist like Westgate Dental Centre for a complete evaluation and diagnosis.

Factors That Lead to Sleep Apnea

Several factors may increase the likelihood of developing sleep apnea, including:

Obesity: Excess weight, particularly around the neck, can pressure the airway and increase the risk of sleep apnea.
Age: Sleep apnea is more common in middle-aged and older adults, although it can occur at any age.
Gender: Men are more likely to develop sleep apnea than women.
Family history: Sleep apnea can run in families and may be inherited.
Nasal congestion: Chronic nasal congestion can increase the risk of sleep apnea by blocking the airway.
Smoking: Smoking can irritate and inflame the airways, making them more likely to narrow and collapse during sleep.
Alcohol and sedative use: Alcohol and sedatives can relax the muscles in the airway and increase the risk of sleep apnea.
Sleep position: Sleeping on your back can increase the risk of sleep apnea, as it can cause the tongue and other tissues to collapse to the back of the throat.
Chronic medical conditions: Certain medical conditions, such as heart failure, stroke, and neurological disorders, can increase the risk of sleep apnea.

It’s crucial to remember that having one or more of these risk factors doesn’t ensure you’ll have sleep apnea. A proper evaluation by a healthcare provider is necessary to determine if sleep apnea is present and what treatment options may be best.

Diagnosis of Sleep Apnea

Diagnosing sleep apnea can be a multi-step process that may include a sleep study, a physical exam, and a medical history review.

Sleep Study

The most frequent technique to diagnose sleep apnea is via a sleep study, commonly known as a polysomnogram. During a sleep study, you will spend a night at a sleep center hooked up to monitors that track your sleep, including brain activity, eye movements, heart rate, and breathing patterns.

Physical Exam

A physical exam is also essential in diagnosing sleep apnea. During the exam, your healthcare provider will check for physical signs of sleep apnea, such as large tonsils, a small jaw, and a small airway. They may also measure your neck circumference, a risk factor for sleep apnea.

Medical History

Your healthcare provider will also take a detailed medical history to determine if you have any underlying conditions or risk factors that could contribute to the development of sleep apnea. They may also inquire about your sleeping patterns and routines and any symptoms you have.

Additional testing, such as a home sleep study or a multi-channel sleep study, may be advised in certain situations to confirm the diagnosis and severity of sleep apnea.

See a healthcare provider if you are experiencing sleep apnea symptoms, as the condition can have severe consequences if left untreated. Making an accurate diagnosis is the first step in building an effective treatment plan to enhance sleep quality and general health.

How Does Sleep Apnea Treatment Work?

Sleep apnea treatment is designed to alleviate the condition’s symptoms and improve overall sleep quality. The treatment type recommended will depend on the severity of the sleep apnea and other individual factors. Some common sleep apnea treatments include:

Lifestyle changes: Making lifestyle adjustments, such as decreasing weight, stopping smoking, and abstaining from alcohol and sedatives, may assist in alleviating the symptoms of sleep apnea.
Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP): A typical therapy for sleep apnea, CPAP is putting a mask over your nose or mouth that produces a continual flow of air to keep your airway open while sleeping.
A mandibular advancement device (MAD) is an oral appliance used to treat sleep apnea. It is a custom-fitted device worn in the mouth and works by repositioning the jaw and tongue to keep the airway open during sleep.
Surgery: In some cases, surgery may be recommended to remove excess tissue in the airway, causing sleep apnea.
Positional therapy: Sleeping on your side, rather than your back, can reduce the risk of sleep apnea by keeping the airway open.
Behaviour modification: Changing your bedtime routine, such as winding down before bed and reducing screen time, can help improve sleep quality and reduce sleep apnea symptoms.

Working with a healthcare provider to determine the most appropriate sleep apnea treatment for you and monitor the treatment’s effectiveness regularly is essential. In certain circumstances, a combination of therapies may be required to control sleep apnea symptoms properly.

Choosing the Right Treatment Plan for Your Sleep Apnea

Treating sleep apnea is essential to improve sleep quality and overall health. The severity of sleep apnea will determine the most appropriate course of treatment. For those with severe obstructive sleep apnea, seeing a sleep specialist for an accurate diagnosis and effective treatment plan is recommended.

For mild sleep apnea, lifestyle changes and non-invasive treatments such as oral appliances may effectively manage symptoms. However, a combination of treatments, such as continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy, lifestyle changes, and oral appliances, may be necessary for those with severe sleep apnea to effectively manage the condition’s symptoms.

Westgate Dental Centre combines proven, practical products like the MAD device with sleep tips and professional services to help you enjoy a good night’s rest. We have a dedicated team of sleep disorder specialists to provide you with the treatment and care you need. Visit us in Maple Ridge, BC, to learn more about your sleep health and take the first step toward feeling like yourself again.

Frequently Asked Questions

What increases the risk of developing Obstructive sleep apnea syndrome?

The primary risk factor for OSAS is being overweight and having excess fat around your neck. Other risk factors include family history, anatomical structures that block airways such as enlarged tonsils, allergies or sinus problems, advanced age and tobacco smoking.

What is treatment-emergent central sleep apnea?

Treatment-emergent central sleep apnea is a type of sleep apnea that occurs due to treatment for another form of sleep apnea. This condition can occur when the treatment is not effectively managing the initial sleep apnea symptoms, leading to the development of central sleep apnea.

How is moderate sleep apnea treated?

The treatment for moderate sleep apnea will depend on the individual and the severity of their symptoms. Lifestyle changes, such as losing weight and avoiding alcohol, can help improve symptoms.

What can make sleep apnea symptoms worse?

Several factors can cause sleep apnea symptoms to worsen, including weight gain, aging, and the development of other health conditions. In addition, certain medications and alcohol consumption can also contribute to worsening symptoms.

What is bilevel-positive airway pressure, and how does it work in effective sleep apnea treatment?

Bilevel positive airway pressure (BiPAP) is a type of therapy that uses a machine to deliver air pressure to the airways, with two different pressure levels during inhalation and exhalation. The air pressure helps to keep the airway open, preventing breathing pauses or obstructions during sleep.

Can air pressure alone effectively treat sleep apnea?

Air pressure alone may not be sufficient to treat sleep apnea, as the condition’s underlying causes can be multifactorial. However, using a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machine or BiPAP machine to deliver air pressure to the airways can help alleviate the symptoms and reduce the frequency of breathing disruptions during sleep.

Is it necessary to use a mask during sleep apnea treatment with air pressure machines?

A mask is typically required with air pressure machines such as CPAP or BiPAP during sleep apnea treatment. The mask is worn over the nose, mouth, or both and is connected to the machine by tubing. The mask helps to deliver air pressure to the airways and prevent leaks. Different types of masks are available, including nasal masks, full-face masks, and nasal pillows, to suit different preferences and needs.