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Sleep Apnea: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment Options

Updated: Jul 22, 2024

As you drift off to sleep each night, you likely take your ability to breathe freely for granted. However, if you or your partner notice loud snoring or you feel exhausted even after what seems like a full night's rest, you may be suffering from a condition known as sleep apnea. This potentially serious sleep disorder causes your breathing to repeatedly stop and start throughout the night, preventing you from getting truly restful sleep.


Apnea: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment Options

Sleep apnea can lead to dental health problems like bruxism (teeth grinding) and dry mouth, which increase the risk of tooth decay and gum disease. Our article aims to provide insights and solutions to manage sleep apnea, ultimately helping to improve your dental health. In this article, you'll learn what sleep apnea is, what causes it, how it can impact your health and quality of life, and the various treatment options available, including lifestyle changes and dental devices that may help you finally get the restorative rest your body and mind need.


Table of Contents

What is Apnea?

Symptoms of Apnea

Causes and Risk Factors for Apnea

Diagnosing Apnea

Treatments for Apnea


 

What is Apnea?


Sleep Apnea Definition

Apnea refers to the cessation or pause of breathing during sleep. It comes from the Greek words "a" meaning without and "pnea" meaning air. Essentially, apnea describes periods when a person stops breathing while asleep. There are two main types - obstructive sleep apnea and central sleep apnea.


Obstructive Sleep Apnea

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) occurs when the upper airway becomes blocked or obstructed during sleep, reducing or completely stopping airflow. This is often caused by the muscles in the throat relaxing and collapsing inwards. Risk factors include obesity, large tonsils, or changes in hormone levels.


During an obstructive apnea event, the person makes an effort to breathe but cannot due to the blockage, causing carbon dioxide levels to rise and oxygen levels to drop. This triggers an arousal reflex that briefly wakes them up to reopen the airway before falling back asleep, repeating the cycle.


Central Sleep Apnea

Central sleep apnea, on the other hand, occurs when the brain fails to properly control or signal the muscles responsible for breathing. Underlying health issues affecting the brain's respiratory control centers, like heart failure, can cause central apneas during sleep.


The main difference is that in central apnea, there is no physical blockage - the issue stems from improper signaling by the brain to the respiratory muscles. This lack of signal means no breathing effort is made at all until the person briefly wakes up.


 

Symptoms of Apnea


Loud, Disruptive Snoring

One of the most common signs of sleep apnea is loud, persistent snoring. This can indicate a serious breathing problem, even if the person does not always snore. The snoring may be loud enough to disturb others nearby and can come and go throughout the night. Loud snoring is caused by the partial obstruction of the airway during sleep.


Gasping or Choking Episodes

People with sleep apnea often experience episodes where their breathing stops completely for a period of time during sleep. This can cause them to wake up gasping, choking or feeling short of breath. Others may observe these episodes where the person's breathing appears to stop temporarily before resuming with a snort or choking sound.


Excessive Daytime Sleepiness

One of the most common complaints of those with sleep apnea is feeling excessively tired or sleepy during the daytime. This is because the repeated awakenings associated with sleep apnea prevent you from achieving the deep, restful stages of sleep. As a result, you may feel fatigued and have difficulty concentrating, even after a full night in bed.


Other Potential Symptoms


If you experience any of these symptoms, especially the daytime sleepiness, it is important to discuss them with your doctor or dentist. They can evaluate if sleep apnea could be the underlying cause.


 

Causes and Risk Factors for Apnea


Obstructive Sleep Apnea

Obstructive sleep apnea is caused by conditions that block airflow through the upper airways during sleep. This often occurs when the throat muscles relax too much, allowing the tongue to fall backward and obstruct the airway. According to Mayo Clinic, having excess fat deposits around the upper airway or a naturally narrow airway can increase the risk of obstruction.


Several factors heighten the risk of developing obstructive sleep apnea, including:

  • Excess weight or obesity

  • Older age

  • Male gender

  • Enlarged tonsils or adenoids

  • Thick neck circumference

  • Smoking

  • Alcohol use

  • Nasal congestion

  • Family history


Certain medical conditions like hypothyroidism, diabetes, and heart or kidney failure are also linked to an increased risk.


Central Sleep Apnea

Central sleep apnea occurs when the brain fails to send proper signals to the muscles that control breathing. It is often caused by an underlying health condition affecting the brain's respiratory control centers, such as heart disorders, prior stroke, or narcotic pain medication use.


While central sleep apnea is less common, several risk factors are shared with obstructive sleep apnea, like:

  • Older age

  • Male gender

  • Excess weight

  • Smoking

  • Family history


Additionally, premature birth and opioid use elevate the risk of developing central sleep apnea.


Maintaining a healthy weight, avoiding smoking and alcohol, and treating underlying medical conditions may help prevent both types of sleep apnea. Sleeping on your side and practicing good sleep hygiene can also reduce the risk.


 

Diagnosing Apnea


Sleep Study Evaluation

Diagnosing sleep apnea typically involves an evaluation by a sleep specialist. This starts with a review of your symptoms and sleep history, often involving input from your bed partner about loud snoring or pauses in breathing during sleep. The primary diagnostic tool is an overnight sleep study called polysomnography, conducted at a sleep lab.


During polysomnography, sensors monitor various bodily functions while you sleep, including heart rate, lung activity, brain waves, breathing patterns, limb movements, and blood oxygen levels. These comprehensive recordings help detect episodes of apnea - when breathing stops briefly - as well as less severe airflow limitations like hypopnea.


Home Sleep Tests

For patients with a high risk of obstructive sleep apnea and no other major medical issues, home sleep tests using portable monitoring equipment may be an option. These simplified tests typically measure just a few key variables like breathing patterns, airflow, blood oxygen levels, and heart rate to detect apnea episodes during sleep.


While not as comprehensive as an overnight lab study, home tests can be more convenient and lower-cost for diagnosing moderate to severe sleep apnea when symptoms are clear. However, for more complex cases or to rule out other potential sleep disorders, an in-lab polysomnography is usually required.


Additional Evaluations

After initial testing, your doctor may recommend further evaluations by other specialists, such as an ear, nose and throat doctor to look for physical blockages contributing to the apnea. Consultation with a cardiologist or neurologist may also be needed, especially for suspected cases of central sleep apnea, which has different underlying causes than obstructive sleep apnea.


Armed with detailed sleep study data and your medical history, your doctor can make an accurate diagnosis and develop an appropriate treatment plan tailored to the specific type and severity of your sleep apnea.


 

Treatments for Apnea


Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) Therapy

The most common and effective treatment for obstructive sleep apnea is continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy. A CPAP machine delivers a steady flow of air through a mask worn during sleep, keeping your airways open and preventing pauses in breathing. While CPAP is highly reliable, some people find it uncomfortable or have trouble adjusting.


Oral Appliances and Muscle Therapy

For milder cases or those who cannot tolerate CPAP, oral appliances designed by dentists can reposition the jaw and tongue to keep the airway clear. Orofacial therapy exercises can also help strengthen the muscles around the throat. Multiple devices may need to be tried to find the right fit.


Surgical Options

When other treatments fail, surgery may be an option to remove excess tissue from the throat or advance the position of the jaw. Radiofrequency ablation uses heat energy to shrink obstructive tissues, while implanted devices can stimulate nerves to keep airways open. For severe, life-disrupting apnea, maxillomandibular advancement surgery moves the upper and lower jaws forward.


Lifestyle Adjustments

While not a standalone cure, healthy lifestyle changes like losing weight, exercising regularly, avoiding alcohol before bed, and sleeping on your side can help reduce apnea symptoms. Combined with medical treatment, these adjustments promote better sleep quality and overall well-being.


 

Living with Apnea


The Oral Health Impact

Sleep apnea can take a significant toll on dental health and overall well-being. Lack of saliva production during apnea episodes leads to chronic dry mouth, increasing risks of tooth decay, gum disease, and even tooth loss over time. Gasping for air also causes many to grind their teeth (bruxism) unconsciously while sleeping. This wears down tooth enamel and can result in cracked or damaged teeth, jaw pain, headaches, and TMJ disorders.


Beyond Oral Issues

The impacts don't stop at dental problems. Poor sleep quality from constantly interrupted breathing takes a mental and physical toll. Daytime fatigue, irritability, and difficulty concentrating are common side effects that disrupt work, relationships, and overall quality of life. Untreated apnea may even increase risks for serious conditions like heart disease and diabetes long-term.


Finding Relief

While living with apnea has its challenges, effective treatment is available. Oral appliances can reposition the jaw to improve airflow and prevent grinding. CPAP machines gently deliver steady air pressure to keep airways open throughout the night. Making lifestyle changes like losing weight, avoiding alcohol before bed, and improving sleep habits can also provide relief from symptoms.


With proper medical guidance, most find significant improvement in sleep quality, daily energy levels, and overall health after treating their apnea. Seeking care is essential to protect your smile and prevent oral health complications down the road.


 

Conclusion


Your health and quality of life depend on getting enough quality sleep. Unfortunately, apnea robs you of that by disrupting your breathing as you sleep. This dangerous condition can increase your risk for other health problems and lead to daytime fatigue.


The good news is that effective treatments exist. Work with your doctor to get tested and find the right options for you. Treating your apnea can help you finally get the restorative rest you need to wake up feeling refreshed and energized. Don't wait to start addressing this condition. Reach out to a sleep specialist and take steps today to overcome your apnea, improve your sleep, and enhance your overall health and daily functioning. With the right treatment plan, you can start benefiting from restful nights and better days ahead. If you have any inquiries about maintaining your oral health, don't hesitate to visit Maple Dental, our trusted dental clinic in Kovan. Your dental care is in the best hands as our experienced dentists will provide you with personalised guidance to ensure that your dental health is at its best.


To find out more about the services Maple Dental Provides, click the link below! https://www.mapledental.sg/services

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