What is sleep apnea and why should I test for it?
Sleep apnea is characterized by repeated interruptions in breathing during sleep. This can occur when the muscles at the back of the throat fail to keep the airway open, causing an individual to struggle for air. Common symptoms of sleep apnea include loud snoring, daytime sleepiness, morning headaches, and difficulty concentrating. Sleep apnea can increase the risk of high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, and other health problems. Contrary to common belief, thin people can suffer from sleep apnea and its consequences.
Why should I test for sleep apnea?
Sleep apnea has been found to contribute to:
High blood pressure (proper treatment of sleep apnea can reduce or eliminate the need for blood pressure medications)
Metabolic syndrome due to obesity (insulin resistance, prediabetes, Type 2 Diabetes)
Atrial Fibrillation
Dementia and other cognitive disorders
Accidents and injuries
Daytime fatigue/sleepiness
How do I test for sleep apnea?
Testing is now generally done at home with less expensive, user-friendly methods. In most cases, further testing is not necessary. Click here for a description of our favorite: EZ Slep. However, if additional testing and treatment is needed, we refer you to sleep specialists, including dentists, who focus on sleep and airway disturbances.
What are the treatment options?
Choice of treatment for sleep apnea depends on its severity, underlying causes and patient preference. The goal of general treatment is to improve breathing during sleep and reduce symptoms and risk of complications.
Some common treatments include (but are not limited to):
Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP), which involves wearing a mask over your nose and mouth during sleep. CPAP opens your airway by delivering a steady stream of air under positive pressure.
Bi-level Positive Airway Pressure (BiPAP), which is similar to a CPAP but delivers less air while the user is exhaling. This is in contrast to CPAP, which delivers a constant stream of air, sometimes making it difficult for the user to exhale.
Mandibular advancement devices (MADs), also known as oral appliances, that can be worn in the mouth to help keep the airway open. They often accomplish this by bringing the jaw forward or holding the tongue in place.
Lifestyle changes such as losing weight, quitting smoking, and avoiding alcohol before bedtime.
While weight loss is helpful to treat sleep apnea (remove the root cause), often treatment of sleep apnea with CPAP or other measures enables weight loss. The cortisol and other stress consequences of sleep apnea make it harder to lose fat. It is a chicken/egg metaphor: Which comes first? In reality, obesity (even mild) and sleep apnea can be cause-and-effect for one another.
Nasal Decongestants can sometimes be used to help open airways and improve breathing.
Positional therapy, which involves using special devices or techniques to encourage sleeping on one’s side.
Surgery, which is usually a last resort, can be used to treat sleep apnea. In these rare cases, excess tissue is removed from the throat, or the jaw is repositioned to improve breathing during sleep.
Don’t fear the diagnosis or the treatment of sleep apnea. Most who have been through it are grateful for better health and quality of life for themselves and their sleep partner.