Sleep Apnea Treatment – Plano, TX
Signs That You Should Seek Treatment
Sleep apnea doesn’t always cause the same symptoms in every case. There are a few different types of sleep apnea and a multitude of symptoms that you could experience as a result. Symptoms vary based on a variety of different factors, including age, gender, and lifestyle habits. Here’s what you should know but feel free to call us to learn more.
Why Choose Sleep Rehab for Sleep Apnea Treatment?
- Fully Customized Oral Appliances
- Caring, Knowledgeable Team
- Medicare Accepted
What is Sleep Apnea?
Having sleep apnea means that your breathing is repeatedly stopping and restarting while you’re asleep. Each interruption forces the body to wake up to try and get oxygen. The awakenings are short, so many people don’t even remember them.
Sleep apnea actively prevents you from getting the slumber your body needs to stay healthy. When ignored for too long, it can have life-threatening consequences, such as an increased risk of suffering from a heart attack.
Types of Sleep Apnea
Sleep apnea consists of repeated cessations of breathing during the sleep cycle. There are three different types of sleep apnea:
- Obstructive Sleep Apnea: This occurs when the throat muscles relax and block the flow of air into the lungs.
- Central Sleep Apnea: Central sleep apnea occurs when the brain doesn’t send proper signals to the muscles that control your breathing.
- Complex Sleep Apnea: This condition occurs when you have a combination of both obstructive sleep apnea and central sleep apnea.
The Symptoms of Sleep Apnea
Oftentimes, symptoms for different conditions overlap, so it can be difficult to determine which signs point to sleep apnea. Here are some of the most common symptoms that sleep apnea sufferers encounter:
- Loud snoring/choking during sleep
- Frequent stoppages in breathing
- Sudden awakening with shortness of breath
- Waking up with a sore throat or dry mouth
- Difficulty staying asleep at night
- Difficulty focusing during the day
- Irritability issues and mood swings
In many cases, sleep apnea goes undiagnosed until someone else observes the warning signs. If you or your partner notice any of the symptoms listed above, you may want to consider scheduling an appointment with us to get to the bottom of the issue. We can explain how you can have a sleep test performed to determine your sleep breathing patterns, and we can put together a treatment plan that is right for you!
Sleep Apnea Patient Testimonials
Sleep Apnea FAQs
Has your partner started sleeping in the guest bedroom because your snoring is keeping them up all night? You might need to consider the possibility you have sleep apnea. It is often characterized by loud snoring as well as episodes of breathing interruptions that can disrupt sleep. If you are considering treatment for sleep apnea in Plano, you may be interested in learning more about it before your appointment. On that note, our team at Sleep Rehab has compiled some frequently asked questions from past patients. If you don’t see your question below, give us a call!
What Is Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA)?
Obstructive sleep apnea is the most common sleep-related breathing disorder. It causes your breathing to repeatedly stop and restart while you sleep. While there are several types of sleep apnea, this is the most common, and it occurs when your throat muscles intermittently relax and block your airway during sleep.
A noticeable sign of obstructive sleep apnea is snoring. Treatment for obstructive sleep apnea often involves a device that uses positive pressure to keep your airway open while you sleep. Another treatment option is a mouthpiece that thrusts your lower jaw forward to prevent blockage of the airway. In some cases, surgery might be an option.
What Are Common Symptoms of Sleep Apnea?
The signs and symptoms of obstructive and central sleep apnea overlap, sometimes making it difficult to determine which type you have. The most common signs and symptoms of obstructive and central sleep apnea include loud snoring, episodes in which you stop breathing during sleep, gasping for air during sleep, awakening with a dry mouth, morning headaches, insomnia, excessive daytime sleepiness, difficulty paying attention while awake, and irritability.
How Is Sleep Apnea Treated?
One of the main treatment options for obstructive sleep apnea is CPAP, which stands for continuous positive airway pressure. A small CPAP machine delivers a continuous stream of pressurized air to your airways as you inhale. The pressure helps keep your airway passages open while you sleep. Because your airway remains open, pauses in breathing are prevented.
In some cases, a dental appliance may be effective in treating mild-to-moderate sleep apnea. There are two main types of dental appliances for sleep apnea including a mandibular advancement device and a tongue-retaining device. In some instances, surgery for sleep apnea may be an option if CPAP or other treatments are ineffective or not tolerated. The type of surgical procedure may vary based on a person’s anatomy and problems contributing to sleep apnea. Finally, weight loss remains an effective treatment option for overweight patients with sleep apnea, improving sleep breathing in many individuals.
What Are the Risk Factors for Sleep Apnea?
Being overweight is one of the biggest risk factors for obstructive sleep apnea. Drugs like alcohol, opiates, benzodiazepines, and other depressants can also increase your risk. Additionally, there are simple physiological differences that can increase the likelihood of developing the disorder. A congenitally narrow airway, a deviated nasal septum, and being male are all sleep apnea risk factors.
Meanwhile, central sleep apnea can occur in people that are at high altitudes. This is due to an unstable breathing response to the lower density of oxygen. The body may respond to low blood oxygen levels by hyperventilating, which can cause the person to try to slow breathing down. The mismatch between the body’s desire to breathe and the drive to not hyperventilate also leads to central sleep apnea in patients with congestive heart failure.