Frequently Asked Questions
Sleep apnea affects one in three people but goes undiagnosed in most cases. Yet, undiagnosed and untreated sufferers have a 50% higher risk of death. The dangers are real, and we want to give you information to help you protect yourself and your family.
Forty million people in the USA have been diagnosed with sleep apnea symptoms. You or a loved one might be suffering from it. Here, we have collected a list of questions that might arise if you are trying to understand issues better.
If you still have questions about snoring and sleep apnea, call our office today to meet with one of our skilled and highly-trained specialists to help answer any questions you might have. Book your FREE consultation today!
What Is Sleep Apnea?
It is a sleep disorder in which breathing unexpectedly stops and starts, causing the body to wake repeatedly throughout the night because the brain isn’t getting enough oxygen. It is a dangerous medical condition that can potentially reduce your lifespan by as much as 20 years.
It can also cause serious diseases like heart attacks and high blood pressure. The signs of apnea are weight loss, loud snoring, low oxygen levels in the body, and dried lower and upper airways. For all these reasons, it is smart to visit a specialist like the ones we have here at Reflections Dental Spa to treat it.
What Are the 3 Main Sleep Apnea Symptoms?
Keep an eye out for these three primary sleep apnea symptoms, which are often accompanied by various other symptoms. Here are those three:
- Snoring: Loud, chronic snoring and long pauses in breath, especially during sleep.
- Choking or Gasping: Gasping or choking for air during sleep.
- Dry mouth: Waking up with a dry mouth or sore throat.
If you have these sleep apnea symptoms, then you should contact us to treat it immediately because delay in diagnosing and treating this sleep disorder has several higher risk factors.
What Happens If Sleep Apnea Is Left Untreated?
If untreated, this disorder can increase many risk factors, including long-term health consequences. Obstructive sleep apnea symptoms range from mild to severe.
Here is a list of diseases you might get if you leave it untreated:
- Chronic tiredness from sleep deprivation
- Slower reflexes and poor concentration
- High blood pressure and weight gain
- Health issues such as diabetes and heart disease
- Heart arrhythmia causing heart issues
How Can I Test Myself for Signs of Sleep Apnea?
If you suspect you have apnea and want to conduct a home test, several reliable testing options are available for home use. These may include sleep apnea machines such as a pulse oximeter or a Fitbit-style device that tracks your breathing and heart rate while you sleep. Remember that these tests are not a substitute for an official diagnosis by a dentist or doctor.
Can Apple Watch Detect Sleep Apnea?
Apple watches do not diagnose apnea, but they can detect sleep apnea symptoms. They can give you insight into your sleep patterns but will not help diagnose the disorder. We highly recommend visiting a dentist specializing in sleep study for a proper diagnosis and treatment. Some sleep apnea machines can help you to detect the breathing problems.
How Do I Get Rid of Sleep Apnea?
- Maintain a Healthy Weight: Obesity can lead to apneas, causing the airways to close and the nasal passages to become constricted.
- Change Your Sleep Position: Research indicates that lying on your back while sleeping can lead to a rise in apneas at night. Resting on your side can aid in maintaining unobstructed breathing passages.
- Avoid Alcohol and Smoking: These practices can intensify OSA and potentially exacerbate sleep apnea symptoms.
- Elevate your Head: If you sleep with your head raised off the bed at a 60-degree angle, then the episodes of apnea will decrease.
- Exercise: Consistent physical activity can help enhance lung capacity and promote blood circulation.
If you are looking to treat the symptoms, look no further! Request your FREE Snoring and Apnea consultation today at Reflections Dental Spa.
What Are the 3 Types of Sleep Apnea
There are three primary types:
- Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) Is the most common form of the disease. It occurs when the muscles in the back of your throat relax, and your airway narrows or closes as you breathe. This type can cause snoring.
- Central Sleep Apnea (CSA): This is less common than OSA. It occurs when your brain doesn’t signal properly to the muscles that control your breathing. As a result, you may make shallow breaths or pause while you sleep. Heart failure and stroke can occur because of CSA.
- Mixed Apnea: This type is a combination of both OSA and CSA.
Does Sleep Apnea Go Away?
There are effective ways to address this issue, such as managing weight and pursuing appropriate treatments. However, for some individuals, this may be a lifelong concern. Apnea does not go away on its own. Even though the sleep apnea symptoms can be treated with oral appliances, Nightlase, sleep apnea machines (like a CPAP Mask), or other forms of therapies, the condition may be chronic.
However, when we look at what causes sleep apnea, we can sometimes treat the root problem, which will remove the sleep apnea symptoms.
Can Sleep Apnea Be Cured Naturally?
It is possible only if you are suffering from mild cases. Changing your lifestyle, including significant weight and throat exercises, could cure sleep apnea. Losing weight and doing throat exercises strengthens your airway muscles, leading to better oxygen inhalation and quality sleep with no snoring.
What Is the Best Sleep Position to Sleep in?
The experts recommend sleeping on the side to reduce the effects of this disorder. Falling asleep on your side has been proven to greatly reduce breathing disruptions caused by obstruction sleep apnea.
Can a Pillow Help with Sleep Apnea?
Pillows help by keeping your head elevated while you sleep. This keeps your throat muscles in position and tightens them. Special pillows also help elevate the head while you sleep.
Can Skinny People Have Sleep Apnea?
Apnea is not normally related to age or weight. It’s commonly assumed that individuals with this disorder are usually overweight, older, and male. However, it can affect skinny people, women, athletes, and even children. You can still have it even if you’re young, fit, and thin.
What Triggers Sleep Apnea?
Physical factors mainly influence obstructive sleep apnea. Other factors that might trigger your problem are:
- Substance and Drug Use: Alcohol, sedatives, and tranquilizers relax the muscles of the throat and slow your breathing.
- Smoking: Smoking causes inflammation and fluid retention in the upper respiratory tract.
- Nasal Congestion: Swelling in the nasal passages can cause the airway to become blocked or narrowed, especially when lying down. This may be due to allergies or illness.
- Back Sleeping: Sleeping on your back can close your airways and make breathing more difficult.
How Long Can You Live With Sleep Apnea?
According to research, sleep apnea can reduce your life expectancy by up to 20 years. It is because people suffering from it have reported signs of other health disorders, including high blood pressure, stroke, heart attack, and diabetes. It does not directly shorten life expectancy. However, it increases the likelihood that patients will develop life-threatening health conditions, resulting in a shortened life expectancy.
When managed effectively through treatments for sleep apnea like Nightlase, Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP), or lifestyle adjustments you can experience a healthy and normal life. If left untreated, it can contribute to an increased risk of severe health complications. So if you notice signs of sleep apnea contact our sleep specialist straight away.
Can Apnea Be Caused by Stress?
The relationship between stress and sleep apnea is generally indirect and can differ from individual to individual, as with most medical conditions associated with it. While they often appear together, one doesn’t necessarily cause the other.
Is Coffee Good for Sleep Apnea?
While a bit of caffeine might seem like a big help for someone with this condition, it could actually be making it worse. Reducing caffeine intake can lower blood pressure, improve mood, and break the cycle of exhaustion.
Visit Our Office to Learn More about Sleep Apnea!
If you still have questions about sleep apnea and snoring, don’t hesitate to schedule a FREE consultation with our experts! We will be sure to get you on the right track for treatment.