What is sleep apnea?

Sleep apnea is a potentially serious sleep disorder in which breathing repeatedly stops and starts. If you snore loudly and feel tired even after a full night’s sleep, you might have sleep apnea.

The main types of sleep apnea:

  • Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA)-is the most common form. OSA occurs when throat muscles relax so much, or the tongue falls back, so that the airway becomes narrowed or blocked. As a result, air flow is reduced or completely stops flowing into the upper airway and the lungs while sleeping. This causies the body to not get the oxygen it needs to function. Obstructive sleep apnea accounts for 84% of sleep apnea diagnoses. OSA is the type of apnea that Healthy Sleep Options at Hughes Family Dental can help treat.
  • Central sleep apnea (CSA)-occurs when the brain doesn’t send proper signals to the muscles that control breathing. This causes breathing to repeatedly stop and start during sleep. CPAP is the treatment for CSA.

How do I know if I have sleep apnea?

A sleep test is the best way to diagnose sleep apnea. The sleep test is ordered by a medical professional, and can be performed in a sleep clinic or even at home now with a HSAT (home sleep apnea test). The physician will also diagnose Sleep Apnea based on signs and symptoms that a person experiences.

The most common sign of sleep apnea is snoring.

Other symptoms can include:

  • Being told you stop breathing during sleep
  • Gasping for air during sleep
  • Excessive daytime tiredness or fatigue
  • Morning headaches
  • Awakening with a dry mouth or sore throat
  • Restless sleep
  • Chronic exhaustion even after a full night’s sleep
  • Gastro Esophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)
  • Poor memory, moodiness or difficulty concentrating

It’s important to understand the signs and symptoms of Sleep Apnea and consult your doctor if you think you might have it. Treating sleep apnea with CPAP therapy or an Oral device can help you get the rest you need and take back control of your life.

Daytime sleepiness is another huge indicator of Sleep Apnea. Sleepiness can be determined by a quick 8 question survey called the Epworth Sleepiness Scale. You can check here to see if you have excessive sleepiness, possibly related to Sleep Apnea.


What would put me at risk of having sleep apnea?

It’s important to remember anyone can have sleep apnea – men and women; Elderly, middle-age, and children; obese or slim and fit. Sleep apnea can affect anyone. However, Sleep Apnea risk is increased greatly by the following:

  • A narrow throat airway
  • Overweight/obese
  • Family history of sleep apnea
  • Increasing age
  • Neck circumference or a narrowed airway
  • Being male
  • Use of alcohol, sedatives, tranquilizers, or smoking
  • Heart problems, such as atrial fibrillation or congestive heart failure
  • Stroke, brain tumor, or a structural problem with the brainstem
  • High blood pressure or other health conditions

Is sleep apnea serious?


Sleep apnea is very serious and can lead to both short- and long-term health conditions if left untreated. These health conditions include:

Additionally, people with untreated sleep apnea may lack the energy to enjoy all that life has to offer.


Treating Obstructive Sleep Apnea

Click here to learn more about treatments for Sleep Apnea


Request your free consultation here to see if you are a candidate for an oral appliance to treat Sleep Apnea