Sleep Apnea
Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) occurs when the tongue and soft palate collapse onto the back of the throat when you sleep. This blocks the upper airway, causing airflow to stop momentarily. When the oxygen level drops low enough, you awaken from deep sleep, interrupting the rapid eye movement (REM) sleep cycle. The airway contracts abruptly to clear the perceived obstruction and breathing begins again, sometimes with a gasp or snore. When you return to a deeper sleep state, the airway muscles collapse again, and again you awaken with another gasp. Over time, lowered oxygen levels and a fragmented sleep contribute to the many ill effects associated with sleep deprivation. Sufferers of sleep apnea are much more likely to suffer from heart problems, strokes, and work-related and driving accidents. Sleep apnea can be diagnosed through sleep studies and treated with good sleep hygiene, weight loss, exercise. If you suffer from sleep apnea, ask your dentist about prescribing oral appliance therapy or surgery to treat snoring.
Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) occurs when the tongue and soft palate collapse onto the back of the throat when you sleep. This blocks the upper airway, causing airflow to stop momentarily. When the oxygen level drops low enough, you awaken from deep sleep, interrupting the rapid eye movement (REM) sleep cycle. The airway contracts abruptly to clear the perceived obstruction and breathing begins again, sometimes with a gasp or snore. When you return to a deeper sleep state, the airway muscles collapse again, and again you awaken with another gasp. Over time, lowered oxygen levels and a fragmented sleep contribute to the many ill effects associated with sleep deprivation. Sufferers of sleep apnea are much more likely to suffer from heart problems, strokes, and work-related and driving accidents. Sleep apnea can be diagnosed through sleep studies and treated with good sleep hygiene, weight loss, exercise. If you suffer from sleep apnea, ask your dentist about prescribing oral appliance therapy or surgery to treat snoring.
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