Sleep Apnea

What is sleep apnea?

Sleep apnea is a serious sleep disorder that causes you to stop breathing multiple times throughout the night. Ultimately, this makes it difficult to get a restful, rejuvenating night’s sleep.

Over time, a lack of sleep may affect your performance at work and safety behind the wheel of your car. Without diagnosis and treatment, sleep apnea also increases your risk of more serious health problems.

What are the symptoms of sleep apnea?

The symptoms of sleep apnea vary from person to person and depend on the severity of the condition. Common indications include:

• Loud snoring
• Gasping for air during sleep
• Waking up with a dry mouth
• Morning headaches
• Insomnia
• Irritability

If you have sleep apnea, you might also find it difficult to pay attention or remember things during the day. 

Are there different types of sleep apnea?

At Dental Arts of Beverly Hills, the providers treat several types of sleep apnea, including:

Obstructive sleep apnea

Obstructive sleep apnea occurs when the soft tissues at the back of your throat relax during sleep. This blocks airflow, causing you to wake up gasping for air. 

Central sleep apnea

Central sleep apnea occurs when your brain fails to send signals to the muscles that control your breathing. This makes you “forget” to breathe and causes you to wake up gasping for air. 

Complex sleep apnea

Complex sleep apnea features symptoms of both obstructive sleep apnea and central sleep apnea. This type of sleep apnea requires prompt medical attention. 

How is sleep apnea diagnosed?

To diagnose sleep apnea, your provider conducts an oral exam, reviews your oral health history, and asks you about your symptoms. If they suspect you have sleep apnea after gathering this information, they can refer you to a local clinic to undergo a sleep study. 

A sleep study is an overnight test that monitors your heart and respiratory rate while you sleep.

How is sleep apnea treated?

Treatment of sleep apnea depends on the severity of your symptoms and their effect on your quality of life. Sometimes, healthy lifestyle changes like losing weight or quitting smoking are enough to prevent further problems.

If your symptoms persist, you might benefit from a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machine or a custom night guard. A night guard is an oral appliance that pushes your lower jaw forward. This makes it easier for you to breathe during sleep. In rare cases, surgical intervention may be necessary.

To schedule your sleep apnea appointment at Dental Arts of Beverly Hills, call the office or book online today.