What is sleep apnea?

Sleep apnea (apnea is a Greek word that can be translated as “without breath”) is a common sleep breathing disorder in which one has breathing pauses or breathing difficulty while they are asleep. It is an ongoing condition that reduces the quality of your sleep and also causes excessive daytime sleepiness.

What are the symptoms?

Although many people have this condition, it is often unnoticed and undiagnosed. The symptoms generally consist of pauses in the breathing patterns while asleep, which causes disruptions to restful, rejuvenating sleep. There is no formal medical test to diagnose sleep apnea, so its detection relies mostly on someone who observes the sleeping difficulties of the patient (such as a family member or someone who lives with the patient), or an alert doctor or sleep dentist who knows that excessive daytime tiredness might be caused by sleep apnea.

How can it be treated?

While it cannot be fully cured, sleep apnea can be treated in various ways.

Breathing machine
With the help of a CPAP machine (Continuous Positive Airway Pressure), one can reduce the symptoms of severe apnea. A CPAP machine blows air into your airway through a special mask that fits over the nose and mouth. The continuous airway machine pumps air at a constant pressure, thereby preventing the airways from narrowing or being blocked. Most doctors also recommend that you use a special sleep apnea pillow that will allow your head to rest in a position that can maximize your breathing ability.

Surgery
In some severe cases, doctors will recommend that you undergo surgery to allow your airways to stay open while you sleep. It focuses on widening your airways either by removing, adding or otherwise modifying the tissue in your nose, throat or mouth.

Dental procedures
You can consult with a specialized sleep dentist who can design a custom mouthpiece that you can use while you sleep. The custom mouthpiece will help your airways stay open, reducing the episodes of sleep apnea and helping you maintain a continuous breathing pattern. Click on the “Sleep Apnea Dentists” page to find out further information about treating sleep apnea.