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What Is Sleep Apnea?

July 8, 2024

Sleep apnea is a serious sleep disorder that occurs when a person's breathing is interrupted during sleep. If left untreated, sleep apnea can result in a number of health issues, including high blood pressure, stroke, heart failure, irregular heartbeats, heart attacks, diabetes, depression, and worsening of ADHD.

Understanding Sleep Apnea

Sleep apnea is characterized by pauses in breathing or periods of shallow breathing during sleep. These breathing pauses can last from a few seconds to minutes and may occur 30 times or more an hour. Typically, normal breathing then starts again, sometimes with a loud snort or choking sound. Sleep apnea usually is a chronic condition that disrupts your sleep 3 or more nights each week. You often move out of deep sleep and into light sleep when your breathing pauses or becomes shallow. This results in poor sleep quality that makes you tired during the day. Sleep apnea is one of the leading causes of excessive daytime sleepiness.

Types of Sleep Apnea

There are three main types of sleep apnea: obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), central sleep apnea (CSA), and mixed sleep apnea.

Obstructive sleep apnea is the most common type of apnea. It is caused by a blockage of the airway, usually when the soft tissue in the back of the throat collapses during sleep.

Central sleep apnea is a much less common type of sleep apnea that involves the central nervous system, rather than an airway blockage. In CSA, the brain fails to signal the muscles that control breathing.

Mixed sleep apnea, as the name suggests, is a combination of both obstructive and central sleep apneas.

Treating Sleep Apnea

There are various treatment options for sleep apnea, ranging from lifestyle changes to surgery. The most common method of treatment is the use of a Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) machine. However, for those who find CPAP uncomfortable or ineffective, there are other options.

Mandibular advancement devices (MADs) are becoming increasingly popular as a treatment for sleep apnea. These devices are custom-made by dentists using a plastic mold of the patient's teeth. The device, which looks like a mouth guard, is worn during sleep. It works by pushing the lower jaw and tongue forward, which increases the size of the airway and reduces air resistance that leads to sleep apnea and snoring.

How Dr. Ghina Morad Can Help

Dr. Ghina Morad is now evaluating patients who have potential sleep apnea. She offers sleep dentistry using custom mandibular advancement devices (MAD) from leading providers such as Apnomed, MyTap, and Prosomnus. Her aim is to help patients improve their sleep quality, enhance their overall health, and ultimately, improve their quality of life.

Request an Appointment in Red Wood City

If you or a loved one is suffering from sleep apnea, it's time to take action. Don't let sleep apnea disrupt your life and health. Reach out to Dr. Ghina Morad today at (650) 592-6396 to request an appointment. Get the restful, rejuvenating sleep you deserve.

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