Sleep Apnea Can Be Confusing, But It Doesn’t Have to Be
Sleep Apnea That Obstructs Your Breathing Can Come from Multiple Causes
September 14, 2016Sleep Study Overview – What You Should Know if You Need to Have One
September 28, 2016Understanding obstructive sleep apnea doesn’t have to be a complicated process, but it can be a bit overwhelming
Hilliard Cosmetic dentist Mark Levy, D.D.S. specializes in a wide range of cosmetic dentistry techniques. At his practice, located in Hilliard, near Columbus, Ohio, Dr. Levy provides an array of cosmetic dentistry procedures, such as Americas-best-dentist porcelain veneers, headache therapy, sleep apnea, dental implants and more.
Mark Levy DDS
1925 Hilliard Rome Rd
Hilliard, OH 43026
https://marklevydds.com
when you are not quite sure what it means for your life. Obstructive sleep apnea is something that is going to change your life, but how much is up to what level of diagnosis you have and what the cause of your apnea is. If your cause is treatable, then you may be able to change your life, and in time, no longer suffer the effects of sleep apnea. However, unless you understand the condition, you may not see how.
The Basics of Sleep Apnea
When you have been diagnosed by either your Columbus, Ohio dentist or doctor of having obstructive sleep apnea, that means that when you sleep, you stop breathing for long stretches at a time. Having minor sleep apnea means that you stop breathing now and again for a few seconds at a time. However, obstructive sleep apnea is a bit more severe than that. To have this diagnosis, you must stop breathing for at least ten full seconds at a time, or longer. The reason you stop breathing for that long is because something is in the way, or obstructing your ability to breathe. This may only happen once each night, or it could happen a few different times a night. Each time it happens, your body is deprived of much-needed oxygen, and it leaves you feeling more tired with each episode.
Typically, to treat obstructive sleep apnea, the person will have to wear a mask that applies pressure to the airway while a person sleeps. The pressure helps the airway to stay propped open, and allows the person to continue breathing all throughout the night. It may be difficult to adjust to at first, but when you start being able to sleep through the night and wake up feeling rested, you are likely to be able to adjust relatively quickly because your body will begin enjoying the benefits.
Most Common Symptoms of Obstructive Sleep Apnea
There are many symptoms that can accompany a sleep apnea diagnosis. They can vary widely, and include anything from being more tired during the day than you used to be to getting heart disease. The less sleep you get, the less your body is able to heal, which could result in you getting sick more often than you used to as well. Waking up with a headache, sore throat, or a dry mouth each morning can also be something to keep an eye on, as they are also symptoms of sleep apnea. When you cannot concentrate, get easily irritated, or struggle with depression, it could also be a sign that you have sleep apnea. If you notice that you often wake up snorting, gasping, or jerking awake, that is one of the more common symptoms that accompanies having sleep apnea.
When Kids Have Obstructive Sleep Apnea, Their Symptoms Are Slightly Difficult to Detect
Children with sleep apnea can have a wide range of symptoms, though not all of them will point only to apnea being the cause. Sometimes the main symptom of a child having sleep apnea is them wetting the bed, while for other kids, they just appear to be more cranky than normal. Some children have trouble focusing at school, while others turn into bullies when they are at school because they are too tired to think about what they are doing and just react aggressively when they are asked a question or cornered. You may notice that your child drools a lot when they are sleeping, or that they sweat a lot at night. Most of the time these symptoms would not point to apnea, but when combined with other symptoms, it can point to sleep apnea being the cause.
Getting a Proper Diagnosis for Obstructive Sleep Apnea Can Help You Get the Right Treatment
When you or your child are exhibiting the signs of sleep apnea, you need to go in and see your doctor or dentist in the Columbus, Ohio area. They can look at what symptoms you have noticed and help you figure out what could be causing them. If they do suspect that you are suffering from sleep apnea, they are likely going to send you in for a sleep study. This will help them to understand what it is your body is going through and then help them develop a treatment plan that will help keep your sleep apnea in check, and allow you to get better sleep at night. It may take a few tries to find the best treatment plan for you, but once your treatment plan has been put in place, you should be able to get much better sleep each night.