Sleep apnea is a sleep disorder in which your breathing is obstructed, infrequent or shallow while you sleep. If you suffer from sleep apnea, your breathing may stop and start during your sleep or you may have obstructed airways that cause shallow breathes with less air. Sleep apnea has become a fairly common disorder, and though it can be potentially serious because it affects your breathing, fortunately it’s treatable and can be reversible. Do you have sleep apnea? Take our quiz to see if you’re at risk.
Do You Have Sleep Apnea?
1. Have your loved ones or family complained about your loud, disruptive snoring?
a. Yes
b. No
2. Do experience difficulty staying asleep?
a. Yes
b. No
3. Do you abruptly wake up through the night feeling short of breath?
a. Yes
b. No
4. Do you experience a headache, dry mouth or a sore throat when you wake up in the morning?
a. Yes
b. No
5. Are you excessively tired during the day?
a. Yes
b. No
Quiz Results
If you answered yes to any or all of the above questions, you may have sleep apnea. You can visit a dentist who specializes in sleep apnea treatment for a consultation.
Types of Sleep Apnea
There are two types of sleep apnea: obstructive sleep apnea and central sleep apnea. Obstructive sleep apnea is more common; it occurs when your throat muscles relax. Central sleep apnea occurs when the brain does not send signals to tell your muscles how to control breathing. Central sleep apnea is not common. If you are concerned you have sleep apnea, you likely have obstructive sleep apnea, which is treatable.
Sleep Apnea Treatment
An oral device can be worn to control sleep apnea; the custom-fitted mouthpieces are made of soft plastic and resemble night guards. These appliances open your air passes while you sleep by gently shifting your jaw. This steadies your breathing and results in restful sleep.
ABOUT YOUR SHREWSBURY DENTISTS:
At Modern Dentistry, Todd A. Pizzi, DDS, and Luciana Messina, DDS, are dedicated to providing high-quality cosmetic, restorative, and preventive dentistry services to patients and families in Shrewsbury, Worcester, North and South Grafton, Westborough, Southborough, Northborough, Boylston, Hopkinton, Millbury, and all surrounding communities. To schedule your next appointment, contact our office by calling (508) 842-6356 today.
