Sleep apnea in Bowmanville is a common condition but requires proper diagnosis and management. Without treatment, it could affect general health. It has been associated with heart disease, high blood pressure, and fatigue. Because it disturbs sleep, it can increase the risk of accidents while driving or operating machinery.
What is Sleep Apnea?
Sleep apnea in Newcastle is different from snoring, as frequent pauses in breathing punctuate the snores. These pauses in breath can last for several seconds.
It is caused when the airway becomes narrowed during sleep. The airway can become partially or completely blocked as the throat muscles supporting it relax during sleep, allowing it to collapse inward.
As a result, oxygen levels decrease, so you automatically awaken and begin to breathe again, often with a loud gasp or snort. This can happen multiple times a night. You only partially awaken, so you may be unaware you have this condition, but it does prevent restful, restorative sleep.
Someone with this condition can have mild, moderate or severe sleep apnea.
How Is Sleep Apnea Diagnosed?
If you have been waking up feeling fatigued or a sleeping partner has commented on your snoring, you might have sleep apnea and will benefit from a sleep study. Other signs include waking up with a dry or sore throat or feeling increasingly irritable due to a lack of good-quality sleep.
What Is a Sleep Study?
A sleep study is entirely painless and non-invasive. During a sleep study, your vital signs are monitored overnight, and it is used to determine if you have sleep apnea and its severity. You may need to spend the night in a sleep clinic or be given equipment to wear at home to monitor your sleep.
How Is Sleep Apnea Treated?
Treatment all depends on the severity. If you have severe sleep apnea, you may need a continuous positive airway pressure device (CPAP). This device has a small nose mask that continually pumps pressurized air into your airway, keeping it open.
Mild or more moderate sleep apnea can be treated with an oral appliance, which we can supply here at West Bowmanville Family Dental. The device is custom-made to hold your lower jaw slightly forward, helping to open your airway and prevent your tongue from falling backward.
An oral appliance or night splint can also help people with severe sleep apnea in Clarington, but who find it extremely difficult to get used to a CPAP machine. Using an oral appliance rather than doing nothing to treat this condition could be preferable.
These can be very successful treatments, but it may also be worth considering making some simple lifestyle changes to help manage sleep apnea. Some of these changes are described below.
Maintain a Healthy Weight
If you can, try to maintain a healthy weight. This will help reduce any pressure around your neck muscles during sleep. Even losing a few pounds could make all the difference.
Exercise Regularly
Getting into a good exercise routine can help with weight management. It can also help reduce stress levels and anxiety, both of which can affect sleep apnea.
Avoid Alcohol
Alcohol is well known for disrupting sleep patterns and acts like a sedative. Even people who don’t have sleep apnea will often snore after a few drinks. Try to minimize your alcohol intake, especially before bedtime.
Quit Smoking
Smoking can worsen sleep apnea as it irritates the airway. Also, quitting can significantly improve overall health and oral health in Courtice.