Are you troubled by Sleep Apnea? You Have Options for Treatment!

Sleep Apnea Treatment Options in Colorado Springs CO Area

Many people suffer from sleep apnea without knowing it. If you’re unfamiliar with sleep apnea symptoms, you may not realize that your loud snoring, waking up frequently at night breathless, or daytime drowsiness are signs of this condition. With these FAQs, your Colorado Springs, Colorado dentist, Dr. Mark H. Wright, explains more about sleep apnea and treatment options.

What is sleep apnea?

The hallmark of the sleep disorder sleep apnea is repeated nocturnal breathing pauses. You may stop breathing for a few seconds or minutes as you sleep and then wake up abruptly gasping for breath. This may occur dozens of times during the night without you realizing it as you drift back to sleep afterward. The next day, however, you feel unusually tired throughout the day due to a lack of quality sleep.

Are there different types of sleep apnea?

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), central sleep apnea (CSA), and complex sleep apnea, which is a combination of the two, are the three main forms of sleep apnea.

What causes sleep apnea?

When you sleep with relaxed throat muscles, soft tissues collapse and obstruct your airways, making it difficult for you to breathe. This is known as OSA. Central sleep apnea occurs when your brain doesn’t signal the muscles controlling your breathing to function, causing you to stop breathing. Both of these conditions arise involuntarily while you sleep.

What signs and symptoms accompany sleep apnea?

Sleep apnea symptoms may include:

Loud snoring or snorting while you sleep.
Frequent wakeups during the night, choking or gasping for breath.
Constant daytime sleepiness.
Morning headaches.
Difficulty focusing, concentrating, or learning due to sleep deprivation.
Mood swings.

An evaluation from Dr. Wright and our team can determine whether these symptoms are signs of sleep apnea.

Is sleep apnea dangerous?

Severe sleep apnea symptoms can pose a risk to your general health, as they can lead to heart problems, stroke, hypertension, anxiety, depression, and other health issues. Over time, the fatigue caused by sleep apnea will affect your quality of life, leading to problems at home, school, and work.

Can sleep apnea be permanently cured?

Depending on the cause of your sleep apnea, it may be cured in some instances. Otherwise, Dr. Wright offers the following treatment options to reduce your symptoms so you can get the rest you need.

Lifestyle changes like losing weight, exercising daily, and quitting smoking to manage sleep apnea symptoms.
Taking nasal decongestants to control snoring.
Using a CPAP machine to pump air directly into your mouth and nose while you sleep, keeping airways open to promote better breathing.
Wearing a customized mouth guard or splint over your teeth to shift your jaw forward while you sleep. This keeps soft tissues from blocking your airways so you can breathe.
Surgery to restructure your nasal passageways or jaw to improve breathing.

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