SLEEP APNEA
Understanding Sleep Apnea and Solutions
Sleep apnea is a potentially serious sleep disorder in which a person’s breathing stops and starts many times each night. In its very worst form, it can even be life-threatening. A person with sleep apnea will stop breathing for several seconds or as long as minutes, and this may happen up to 30 times in an hour. When breathing restarts, it’s often with a gasp or heavy snore.
It’s easy to understand why a person who suffers from sleep apnea could wake up tired every morning and be sleepy during the day, even to the point that he falls asleep while working, watching television or driving. He may also have a morning headache and be irritable. But the damaging effects of this condition can go much deeper than just these symptoms.
The Dangers of Sleep Apnea
Every time the individual stops breathing, carbon dioxide levels in his blood rise and his blood oxygen drops. His heart has to pump harder to compensate for the low oxygen. This creates strain on the cardiovascular system. There is also a greater risk of blood sugar problems and damage to the liver which can lead to scarring.
Sleep apnea has been associated with a higher risk of high blood pressure, abnormal heartbeats and stroke. It is possible for multiple episodes of low blood oxygen to cause a type of abnormal heartbeat called atrial fibrillation which can lead to sudden death.
Two Types of Sleep Apnea
Central sleep apneaoccurs when the brain fails to send important signals to the breathing muscles. This type of apnea is not very common and results in a person making no effort to breathe for a short period of time. He may awaken with shortness of breath and have a hard time going back to sleep.
Obstructive sleep apnea results from an abnormal relaxation of the muscles of the throat. When these muscles in the back and sides of the throat relax too much, the airway is blocked. The brain recognizes this blockage and rouses the person slightly so he can catch his breath. This is the most common type of sleep apnea. Dr. Schwerer has several ways to provide relief for a patient suffering from obstructive sleep apnea.
Correcting Sleep Apnea
When a person suffers from obstructive sleep apnea, relief can often be attained by moving the jawbone into a more optimum position and holding it there throughout the period of sleep. Dr. Schwerer has several choices of appliances that can be comfortably worn during sleep and adjust the jaw or tongue into better positions for restful sleep.
Surgery is also an solution for some cases of sleep apnea. Dr. Schwerer can make a determination of the best solution for your situation. If you or someone you care about suffers from sleep apnea or you have any questions about this condition, please contact our office about our solutions.
