FAQs About Sleep Apnea Treatment: Everything You Need to Know

FAQs About Sleep Apnea Treatment: Everything You Need to Know

September 1, 2022

Scores of people suffer from sleep apnea, while others remain oblivious to their condition. It is estimated that many people continue to live without a clue that they may be suffering from sleep apnea.

Sleep apnea is one of those subtle diseases that might creep on you. You might wake up with a sore throat or feel fatigued for the better part of the day and think nothing much of it. But sleep apnea has far-reaching effects and can cause severe health issues. That’s why you need sleep apnea treatment in Sault Ste. Marie, ON.

We have compiled some of the frequently asked questions and their answers to help you know more about sleep apnea.

1. What Is Sleep Apnea?

Sleep apnea is quite a prevalent disorder characterized by lapses in your breathing while sleeping. The lapses or breathing pauses can occur up to a hundred times a night. The breathing pauses can take almost 20 seconds. So, your body will not receive enough oxygen at night. The worst part about the disease is that you might not be aware that this is happening.

Three types of sleep apnea exist, mixed sleep apnea, central sleep apnea, and obstructive sleep apnea (the most prevalent type). It occurs because the soft tissue relaxes during sleep and blocks the airways.

2. What Are the Sleep Apnea Symptoms?

Sleep apnea can go unnoticed because glaring signs occur when you are asleep. You can assume that the other symptoms are pointing to another health issue. But you will be better placed if you have a family member or roommate who can notice that you have stopped breathing. In any case, the common sleep apnea symptoms include:

  • Restless sleep or insomnia
  • Loud snoring
  • Waking up multiple times to urinate
  • Irritability
  • Morning headaches
  • Heartburns
  • Difficulty concentrating
  • Decreased libido or erectile dysfunction
  • Morning sore throat

3. Does Snoring Indicate That I Have Sleep Apnea?

The short answer is no. Snoring is not an indicator that you have a sleep disorder. However, it is often a sign that the airways could be blocked. Even though you snore, it does not mean you have sleep apnea.

Snoring is caused due to a partial block or obstruction of the upper airways but is not accompanied by a cessation of breath.

However, loud snoring that can disturb a roommate’s sleep should be a cause of alarm since there are chances that you have sleep apnea. We recommend that you visit us for a diagnosis if your snorting is severe.

4. What Are Some of the Risk Factors of Sleep Apnea?

Sleep apnea can affect almost anyone, even your kids. So, some of the risk factors that can increase your chances of having sleep apnea include:

  • Being male
  • Family history
  • Having a large neck of about more than 17 inches for males and 16 inches in females
  • Nasal blockage because of allergies
  • Being obese or overweight
  • Recessed chin or a large overbite
  • If you have large tonsils or tongue and a small jaw
  • Being over 40 years

5. How Do I Know That I Have Sleep Apnea?

There is only one sure way of telling that you have sleep apnea: to have a sleep study. In the sleep study (polysomnogram), you will be monitored while you sleep using various equipment that checks your brain activity, heart rate, blood oxygen levels, and breathing patterns. The results indicate whether you have sleep apnea or not.

6. Are There Any Negative Effects of Sleep Apnea?

First, sleep apnea decrease the quality of your sleep, which could have adverse effects. Remember that your body is oxygen deprived during your sleep. Your body is not designed to go long hours without oxygen. So, you can develop memory problems, mood disturbances, trouble concentrating, diabetes because of the inability to regulate insulin, and hypertension.

7. Are There Treatments for Sleep Apnea?

Yes, there are—sleep apnea treatments in Sault Ste. Marie, ON, includes lifestyle changes such as weight loss, side sleeping, etc., and oral appliances that stop the airways from being blocked.

If you are still a bit curious about sleep apnea, Schedule a dentist appointment at Great North Dental, and we would love to help you.