Posted August 24, 2015.
It is very important for children, teens, and adults to have adequate, uninterrupted sleep if they wish to lead a normal and functional life. Are you getting the sleep you need? Find out now by reading the answers to the following questions:
What is sleep apnea?
Sleep apnea is a condition that causes a brief stop in your breathing overnight while you sleep. The most common type of the sleep disorder is called obstructive sleep apnea, which is caused by the obstruction of the mouth, tongue, nose, or throat. When the obstructions occur, you stop breathing, which is very dangerous. If your breathing stops for more than 10 seconds, that is considered as an apneic event. If you have more than five events per hour, you are considered to have sleep apnea.
What is sleep disordered breathing?
You do not need to have sleep apnea to have a sleep or airway problem. Sleep disordered breathing refers to every condition that results in altered breathing while you sleep.
What are the symptoms of sleep disordered breathing?
There are multiple symptoms that identify sleep disordered breathing, including:
- Snoring
- Choking
- Gasping
- Long pauses without breathing
- Being tired in the morning
- Falling asleep while in a theater or driving
If you experience any of these things, please come in and see our dentist right away. Sleep disordered breathing has been shown to factor in high blood pressure, heart disease, cardiac arrhythmias, diabetes, sexual performance, stroke, and other chronic health issues.
What treatments are available?
The acceptable treatments for sleep disorders include: CPAP, oral appliances, and surgery.
If you have any questions about sleep disorders or if you would like to learn more, call our office today and talk to a member of our team. We are more than happy to help you live a normal life by recognizing and treating your sleeping disorder!