Sleep Apnea and Snoring

What is sleep apnea? Sleep apnea is a common and serious sleeping disorder that happens when your regular breathing is interrupted during sleep. Snoring is common among patients with sleep apnea but not all snorers have sleep apnea.
There are two types of sleep apnea. The first one is Obstructive sleep apnea which is the most common form. This happens when the soft tissue at the back of the throat collapses while you sleep. The second one is Central sleep apnea which results from a problem with how the brain signals the breathing muscles to breath. This can occur with conditions such as heart failure, brain tumors, brain infections and stroke. Sleep apnea can affect any one at any age although it is more common in men. The risk becomes greater when the patient is over 40 years old, overweight, family history of sleep apnea, deviated septum, allergies or sinus problems. Sleep apnea can result in high blood pressure, stroke, diabetes, depression and worsening of ADHD if left untreated.
There are several ways of treating sleep apnea. Not sleeping on your back, the use of CPAP, oral appliances that can shift and support the jaw to prevent the airway from collapsing and surgery like removing the tonsils to open up airway.
It best to always consult with your dental professionals for any questions or concerns to discuss your specific situation.
For more information, please call 661-255-2545. The office is located at 27420 Tourney Rd., Suite 270 in Valencia. You can also learn more at www.kimrosendds.com.