SLEEP APNEA

Sleep apnea is a serious disorder that occurs when a person’s breathing is interrupted during sleep. 1 in 5 adults have it but astonishingly enough less than 10% have been diagnosed. People with untreated sleep apnea stop breathing several times per night, but most are not aware it is happening.

Obstructive Sleep Apnea or OSA occurs when the tongue and soft palate collapse onto the back of the throat, blocking airflow to the lungs, because your brain senses your inability to breath it briefly rouses you from sleep to reopen your airway. This pattern can happen up to 30 times or more each hour all night long and is usually so brief you don’t remember it. This constant awakening impairs your ability to reach deep, restful sleep which can cause a list of problems associated with chronic lack of sleep. If you snore loudly and feel tired even after a full night’s sleep you might have sleep apnea.

RISK FACTORS

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) increases the risk of heart attacks, hypertension, congestive heart failure, stroke, diabetes, reflux disease, impotence and possible motor vehicle accidents.

Some risk factors include:

• Excess weight
• A narrow airway
• Enlarged tonsils or adenoids
• Being male
• Being older
• Family History
• Extensive dental history of cavaties/fillings
• Smoking
• Nasal Congestion
• Use of alcohol, sedative or tranquilizers