Sleep apnea is a potentially serious condition that causes you to stop breathing while you sleep, which can prevent your body from getting enough oxygen.
People with sleep apnea will partially awaken as they struggle to breathe, but they will not be aware of the disturbances in their sleep when they wake up in the morning. That prevents restful sleep and can have other effects, including putting stress on your heart that can have potentially deadly consequences.
Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is caused when the soft tissue in the back of the throat (tongue, soft palate, uvula, tonsils) relaxes and reduces or completely stops airflow. Anything that could narrow your airway, such as excess weight/ obesity, large tonsils, or changes in hormones, can increase your risk of OSA. It’s more common in people who are African-American, Hispanic, or of Asian descent.
Central sleep apnea (CSA) is less common and occurs when your brain fails to send signals to your breathing muscles.
This means that you make no effort to breathe for a short period. Health conditions that affect how your brain controls your airway and chest muscles can cause CSA.
A specialized
machine that blows pressurized air into a face mask and through the airway to keep it open while you sleep.
A customized mouthpiece that keeps the bottom jaw from falling back and prevents soft tissue from blocking the upper airway.
There a different surgical procedures to remove excess tissue, move the jaw forward, or implant a device (Inspire) to move your tongue forward in your sleep.
Helping you on your path to better sleep.
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