Sleep Apnea Houston Texas

What is sleep apnea?

Sleep apnea is a serious, potentially life-threatening condition in which an individual repeatedly stops breathing while he or she sleeps..

The most common type of sleep apnea is Obstructive sleep apnea. Obstructive sleep apnea is caused by a blockage of the airway. The upper airway may become obstructed by excess tissue in the airway. The obstruction may be located in the nasal passages, or the structure of the jaw and airway may be the cause of sleep apnea.

What causes sleep apnea?

Sleep apnea has a number of causes. Sleep apnea is usually caused by mechanical and structural problems in the airway that interrupt breathing while you sleep. In other cases, sleep apnea may occur because the throat muscles and tongue relax while you sleep and block the airway. In obese individuals, sleep apnea may be caused by the narrowing of the airway, due to the excess amounts of tissue in the throat and neck.

Am I at risk for sleep apnea?

Virtually anyone can develop sleep apnea. It is estimated that over 18 million Americans have sleep apnea. However, sleep apnea is more often found in men than women. Individuals who snore loudly, are overweight, or have high blood pressure are at the highest risk. Some studies suggest that sleep apnea may also be hereditary.

If I snore, does that mean I have sleep apnea?

Snoring occurs when your throat muscles relax to the point where the airway is narrowed and partially obstructed. As the air passes through the obstruction, the structures in the throat vibrate and produce snoring.

Although snoring is a strong indication of sleep apnea, the two are not necessarily synonymous. If you snore, you may want to contact an experienced sleep apnea doctor.

How is normal breathing restored during sleep?

During an apneic event, your body experiences an increased amount of carbon dioxide and a decrease in oxygen. This alerts the brain to open the airways. This alert is usually accompanied by a snort or gasp. These arousals can prevent you from getting a good night's sleep. Many patients awake 40-60 times an hour due to apnea but are unaware of this upon awakening in the morning.

What are the effects of sleep apnea?

The number one effect of sleep apnea is a lack of quality sleep. This can lead to simple problems such as drowsiness during the day or trouble concentrating to more serious problems such as memory loss, depression, or suicide.

How is sleep apnea treated?

Mild sleep apnea may be treated with minor behavioral adjustments, such as sleeping on your side or losing weight. Oral appliances or CPAP help many sleep apnea sufferers  from the symptoms of snoring and paused breathing. More severe sleep apnea may require surgery by ENT or oral surgeon.

Does obstructive sleep apnea require surgery?

Sleep apnea dentists can correct obstructive sleep apnea without surgery by using an oral appliance. Oral appliance therapy repositions the lower jaw and tongue keeping the airway open and reducing or eliminating apneic events. The oral appliance is molded to the inside of your mouth and worn at night. The oral appliance may be made adjustable to gradually move the jaw forward.

So, if I use a nasal CPAP, do I still need surgery?

Statistics show that CPAP success rates are high, but only for patients who follow through with treatment and carefully follow instructions. Studies have shown only 23-45% of patents are successful with CPAP. Use of CPAP offers a temporary solution, and some patients prefer to treat their apnea permanently with sleep apnea surgery. Patients who do not want to commit to wearing the CPAP long-term should consider oral appliance therapy before resorting to surgery.

To read more about Sleep Apnea:
	Snoring
	Loud Snoring and Sleep Apnea
	About The Doctor