09
Jan
Getting Rid of Sleep Apnea: Effective Solutions and Strategies
Sleep apnea has a dramatic and damaging impact on nearly every aspect of a person’s life. This condition affects physical health and leaves many sufferers exhausted, unfocused, and without mental clarity. Sleep apnea disrupts a person’s breathing and lowers their oxygen levels, making it hard to get the restorative rest they need. Traditional treatments can provide some relief, but Dr. Brian Orcutt offers modern solutions that can be just as effective, less invasive, and more comfortable.
Understanding Sleep Apnea
People who have sleep apnea stop and start breathing repeatedly throughout the night. This can lead to poor sleep quality, loud snoring, and episodes of gasping. Complications from sleep apnea include high blood pressure, heart disease, and even death. It can complicate mental health issues like depression and anxiety.
Common Reasons for Sleep Apnea
Many causes contribute to sleep apnea. With obstructive sleep apnea, the muscles at the back of the throat relax more than they should and cause the airway to collapse. Other factors causing sleep apnea include being overweight, enlarged tonsils, nasal congestion, sleep position, tongue tie, and small jaws with crowded teeth.
The Three Types of Sleep Apnea
Below are the three primary types of sleep apnea:
- Obstructive sleep apnea: This is the most common type of sleep apnea. With OSA, the throat muscles become overly relaxed and block the airway when a person is sleeping.Â
- Central sleep apnea: This is when a person’s brain fails to send the right signals to the muscles that control their breathing
- Complex sleep apnea syndrome: This condition is a combination of both OSA and CSA. In this situation, the airway is blocked, and issues with brain signals also occur.Â
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CPAP or BIPAP Machines
Continuous Positive Airway Pressure machines (CPAP) and Bi-level Positive Airway Pressure machines (BiPAP) are used widely to treat sleep apnea. CPAP machines deliver a steady stream of air through a mask. This keeps the airway open and helps the patient get uninterrupted breathing while they sleep. BIPAP machines work similarly, but they have two pressure levels.
Surgical Procedures for Sleep Apnea
An uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UPPP) surgery is performed to remove excessive tissue from the back of a person’s throat to widen the airway, although this frequently relapses. There are also other surgical options, such as implant placements or corrective jaw and nasal procedures. Inspire© can be surgically implanted in your chest, and an electrode will be attached to your tongue, forcing your tongue to stick out of your mouth while sleeping, thus opening your airway.
Oral Appliances: An Innovative Solution for Sleep Apnea
An oral appliance for sleep apnea is custom-made to fit your mouth. This appliance keeps the airway open during sleep and is the least uncomfortable and invasive solution for obstructive sleep apnea. These devices look similar to mouthguards. They work by gently positioning the lower jaw forward to keep the airway from collapsing. People with mild to moderate OSA who don’t want to deal with a CPAP machine may find this to be the most effective option. Dr. Orcutt provides mouthguards for patients who have been diagnosed with sleep apnea by a physician.
Your Options for Getting Rid of Sleep Apnea in Fair Oaks, CA
If you are living with sleep apnea, Dr. Brian Orcutt at Orcutt Family Dentistry in Fair Oaks, California, can offer guidance and solutions. Contact the office today by calling (916) 963-9986 to schedule your consultation.Â
