Sleep apnea is a sleep disorder that affects both adults and children. It is a progressive sleep interruption that occurs due to obstruction of the patient’s airway. Sleep apnea can either be treated by a dentist or an oral surgeon based on the individual’s case.
What are the different types of sleep apnea?
There are three types of sleep apnea:
Obstructive Sleep Apnea – OSA is the blockage of oxygen into the system due to the excessive accumulation of tissue at the back of the throat.
Central Sleep Apnea – It is a condition where the brain fails to send accurate and timely signals to the muscles that are responsible for breathing.
Mixed Sleep Apnea – A condition resulted from combined cases of OSA and CSA.
What are the symptoms of sleep apnea?
Symptoms of sleep apnea can be identified below:
- Sudden choking during sleep
- Noisy snoring
- Sudden awakening during the middle of the night
- Waking up with a dry mouth
What is the diagnosis and treatment for sleep apnea?
Your primary care physician would be the first to initially diagnose sleep apnea by identifying signs and symptoms of the disorder. Diagnosing sleep apnea may involve the expertise of a sleep specialist.
Concerning treatment, the sleep specialist may also recommend the use of a continuous positive airway pressure machine (CPAP). The device is designed to deliver a continuous flow of oxygen through a mask that can be worn while you sleep. Your sleep specialist may also look for signs of high blood pressure and other factors to diagnose and treat your condition.
Only in rare cases would a surgical intervention be required. In such situations, the dentist or oral surgeon will evaluate the tongue for its mobility and tendency to block airflow during sleep. The tongue could be surgically reduced to allow smooth flow of air into the system.
We use different approaches to treat your case. Do you have trouble sleeping? Call A-Plus Dental Care in San Jose, CA at (408) 266-8800 to learn more about sleep apnea treatment!