Are you regularly accused of snoring during the night? Does your bed partner finds it hard to get a good night’s sleep next to you. Did you know that loud snoring is huge red flag for obstructive sleep apnea? But how do you know if you snore or it is a sign of a more serious health problem.
What is Obstructive Sleep Apnea?
Obstructive sleep apnea is a dangerous sleep disorder that causes you to stop breathing during the night. Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) occurs when your tongue or tissue in the neck collapse and occlude the airway. When the airway is blocked of there is no oxygen exchange.
The brain registers the critically low oxygen levels and sends out a system wide alert to wake up and start breathing. You will wake you up, clear the obstruction and go back to bed. This happen hundreds of times during the night without you even realizing it. You think you are sleeping the whole night. However, you are getting fragmented sleep and having physiological strain put on your entire body due to lack of oxygen.
Obstructive Sleep Apnea
Sleep Apnea and Snoring
Snoring is one of the main symptoms of sleep apnea, although not every snorer suffers from sleep apnea. Furthermore, it is even possible that patients do not snore and yet still suffer from sleep apnea.
Some of the signs that your snoring is related to sleep apnea are:
- Snoring is typically much louder with sleep apnea
- You may wake up with a cough or gasp for air
- Your snoring may also have a choking sound associated with it
- Your partner may hear you stop breathing
- You typically sleep with your mouth open
How is Sleep Apnea Treated?
Most medical doctors only prescribe continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy. CPAP therapy forces patients to wear a mask during sleep that rams air down your airway. The air is so high pressured that it literally blasts through any obstructions. CPAP is successful for some patients, others find it claustrophobic and uncomfortable to wear. Patients are tethered to the machine and it limits their sleep position. Plus, the machine is loud.
Dr. Nugent in Pasadena Texas, offers different methods for dealing with obstructive sleep apnea with a customized oral appliance. It is easy and comfortable to wear at night. The oral device moves the lower jaw downward and forward opening up the airway.
Suffering from obstructive sleep apnea can significantly affect the quality of your life and health.
It can also impact your performance at work. If you or a loved one may be suffering from sleep apnea, we encourage you to contact our office at 832-457-0647 to learn more about how we can help. Come see how we are helping patients from Deer Park and Pasadena Texas.
