Obstructive sleep apnea is a common but serious medical condition that needs to be treated as quickly as possible. Sleep apnea is when your breathing is consistently interrupted as you sleep.
There are two varieties of sleep apnea. Central sleep apnea deals with the signals your brain sends your body while you sleep; obstructive sleep apnea, or OSA, is when something is physically obstructing the airflow. This is much more common. Untreated sleep apnea of any kind can set you up for serious health problems such as depression, high blood pressure, heart attack, stroke or heart failure. It can also make ADHD harder to manage.
OSA can be caused by a number of factors, including both genetic and environmental. Those who are more likely to suffer from OSA are those who:
-Are over 40 years old
-Are overweight
-Are male
-Have large tonsils or tongue
-Have a family history of sleep apnea
-Have a deviated septum
-Heal with allergies or sinus problems
Treatment options may include but are not limited to oral appliance therapy, Continuous Positive Air Pressure (CPAP) therapy or even surgery. Consult with our dentists to determine if you have sleep apnea. Our dentists can build a treatment plan personalized to your specific situation.
If you think that you may have sleep apnea and you are in the Salina, Kansas, area, call Salina Dental Arts at 785-823-2472 to schedule an appointment! Our dentistss and our team will be happy to help get you sleeping well and breathing right!
