Sleep Apnea and Its treatments

Sleep apnea can affect both adults and children, causing interruptions in their breathing while sleeping, and prevents them from taking adequate rest. When the intake of the proper amount of oxygen gets depleted, people might suffer from sleep apnea which drifts from deep sleep into a light sleep. As a result, these people might feel exhausted the whole day. 

What are the common factors contributing to sleep apnea?

The common factors contributing to the development of sleep apnea:

• Heavy snoring
• High levels of obesity
• Inherited physical characteristics
• If left untreated, sleep apnea can cause more severe health issues, like:
• High blood pressure
• Cardiac arrhythmia
• Stroke or heart attack

What are the symptoms of sleep apnea?

The symptoms of sleep apnea include:

• Daytime tiredness
• Noisy breathing or snoring
• Suddenly waking up from sleep
• Nighttime bathroom trips
• Lack of concentration
• Poor work or school performance
• Memory problems or confusion
• Depression, anxiety, irritability or short-tempered
• Morning headaches
• Dry mouth or sore throat on waking
• Decreased sex drive

What are the different types of sleep apnea?

There are three types of sleep apnea that include:

Obstructive Sleep Apnea: It occurs when physical obstructions cause a blockage in the airways, like large tonsils, a large tongue, floppy soft palate, large uvula, nasal congestion or obstructions, large neck, receding jaw, etc. 

Central Sleep Apnea: CSA is not as common as OSA, and in this, the brain begins to forget or is slow to send signals to breathe, and might occur due to specific different causes.

Complex/Mixed Sleep Apnea:This is a rarer form of sleep apnea, and the person suffering from it has both obstructive sleep apnea and central sleep apnea.

What are the treatment options for sleep apnea?

After diagnosing sleep apnea and successfully treating the problem, you can regain physical, mental, and emotional health and its benefits. You would feel more energetic throughout the day. The most common treatment considered for sleep apnea is a CPAP (Continuous Positive Airway Pressure) machine, which blows air through a tube and masks, keeping the airways open. In milder cases of sleep apnea and depending on the reason for the problem, a mandibular advancement device (MAD) could be placed by a dentist.

Call us at (949) 786-2820 or schedule an online appointment with Dr. Choi for a consultation at our office in Irvine, CA.