Do you frequently wake up in the morning with headaches? Maybe you suffer from chronic fatigue, or have difficulty concentrating or focusing throughout the day? You may be suffering from a sleep disorder known as sleep apnea!
But there isn’t just one type of sleep apnea that you need to be aware of—there are actually two main types of sleep apnea that your dentist is more than willing to share with you. This way, you can receive the appropriate sleep apnea therapy in Las Vegas. Learn more about obstructive sleep apnea and central sleep apnea in this week’s blog post.
Obstructive Sleep Apnea
The most common form of sleep apnea is known as obstructive sleep apnea. This form of sleep apnea occurs when your upper airway is blocked or “obstructed.” You’ll have pauses in breathing and your body will negatively react to it.
The lack of oxygen signals your brain to wake you up, creating a very irregular sleep pattern for your body. You might not even realize that your brain is waking up, but you’ll feel extreme fatigue because your body isn’t able to ever rest or rejuvenate itself. Obstructive sleep apnea may be linked to these other concerns:
- Extreme fatigue
- Depression
- Mood swings
- Increased chance of car accidents
Central Sleep Apnea
The other form of sleep apnea is known as central sleep apnea. This type of sleep apnea is caused by the way your brain functions, not so much focused on your airway. Your brain does not communicate with your muscles effectively which interferes with your breathing. Central sleep apnea is often linked to other health concerns such as:
- A damaged lower brainstem
- Alzheimer’s or Parkinson’s disease
- Thyroid disease
- Hear failure
- Kidney failure
Although snoring is the most common symptom of obstructive sleep apnea, you won’t experience that symptom with central sleep apnea. You’ll mostly feel fatigued, drowsy, and unfocused throughout the day.
How Can You Treat Sleep Apnea?
Continuous positive airway pressure therapy (CPAP) is a standard form of treatment for both types of sleep apnea. You’ll simply wear a mask that’s attached to a breathing machine at night while you sleep. This machine works to push oxygen through your airway, keeping it open throughout the night. Many patients however, find it uncomfortable to wear a mask while they sleep.
Most dentists also offer an alternative to sleep apnea therapy in Summerlin, oral appliance therapy. Your dentist will craft a personalized oral appliance for you to wear throughout the night. It physically opens the airway so that you can breathe without issues. Sometimes, your dentist may recommend combined therapy for severe cases of sleep apnea.
Are you ready to feel fully rested again? Contact your local office to learn more about sleep apnea treatment!
About Our Office
At iSleepSolutions, our goal is simple – we want to help patients suffering from sleep apnea feel like a million bucks again! You feel great when you have a full night’s rest. Plus, adequate sleep is something that you and your body deserves. Feel free to call us for assistance today.