Sleep Apnea Symptoms and Treatments

    /24-7PressRelease/ - CHICAGO, IL, May 01, 2008 - Sleep apnea is a sleep disorder that affects millions of Americans. Although the problem is slowly becoming a mainstream topic, there are still so many people who have never heard of sleep apnea. In fact, it is estimated that as many as 90% of sleep apnea sufferers don't even know they have this condition!

You could be a sleep apnea suffer and not even know it. Because it is a condition that manifests while you sleep, it can be very difficult to identify and diagnose. And because it's primary symptom is a very normal habit — snoring — it can be difficult to recognize there may be an underlying cause.

The Dangers of Sleep Apnea

With sleep apnea, patients experience several periods of stopped breathing throughout the night. In most instances, the body responds to the lack of oxygen by forcing a gasp, and then restoring the normal breathing pattern. But the condition can be dangerous if breathing stops for longer than a few seconds. Also, this activity during sleep can have a snowball effect on a patient's general health, causing fatigue, loss of concentration, and other side effects during waking hours.

Sleep apnea causes can range from behavioral to physical and may include:

• Genetics
• Hyperthyroidism
• Snoring
• Smoking or alcohol
• Immune system abnormalities
• High blood pressure
• Acid reflux
• Large tonsils
• Excess weight
• Smaller airway

Snoring is a primary symptom of the condition, but it can also be a cause — it can cause the palate to lengthen and obstruct the airway.

Symptoms of sleep apnea include:

• Insomnia
• Dry mouth
• Headaches
• Nose congestion
• Sore throat
• Restlessness
• Fatigue
• Night sweats
• Daytime sleepiness
• Choking or gasping during sleep
• Snoring

Help is Available

The good news is that once sleep apnea is diagnosed, there are several treatment methods that have proven effective. Your sleep apnea dentist may recommend one specific treatment or a combination of treatments to help you find relief from your symptoms and breathe easier.

The Continuous Positive Airway Pressure device, or CPAP, is one of the most popular apnea treatments today. CPAP is worn by the patient during sleep. The device helps regulate air pressure and encourages a clear flow of air, effectively maintaining a normal breathing pattern. Other treatment options include weight loss, surgery, nighttime position changes, medication, and other dental appliances.

You can learn more about the causes, symptoms and treatments of sleep apnea from the American Sleep Apnea Association. Please contact Colonial Dental Group in Chicago, Illinois today to schedule an appointment for a full evaluation of your snoring/sleep apnea problem.

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