Sleep apnea is a disorder caused by the interruption of breathing during sleep. It is often incorrectly confused with snoring which is only the noise caused by obstructed breathing during sleep. Sleep apnea is the choking sound that occurs when breathing has actually stopped. As frightening as sleep apnea sounds, incredibly 90 per cent of sufferers have no idea that they have the condition and those that do have most likely been informed by a family member. Sufferers of sleep apnea can stop breathing a s much as one hundred times in a single night.
The two main types of sleep apnea produce the same results but stem from very different causes. Obstructive Sleep Apnea, commonly referred to as OSA, occurs when the soft tissue at the back of the throat collapses and blocks the airway. This temporary blockage causes the patient to splutter and choke before the tissue rights itself. The other form of sleep apnea happens when the respiratory control centre of the brain temporarily stops sending messages to the lungs to breathe. This malfunction of the respiratory centre is known as Central Sleep Apnea
There are several risk factors that make people more likely to suffer from sleep apnea. Patients who are overweight are more likely to suffer from OSA, especially if they are male and over the age of forty. Other patients with genetic factors such as large tonsils are also at risk from the condition.
Although rarely directly responsible for any deaths or long-term damage, sleep apnea is believed to be an underlying cause for many other health problems. It is believed that many cases of hypertension and stress are caused by inadequate sleeping due to sleep apnea. More worryingly, sleep apnea has been linked to heart failure due to the amount of stress caused to the body by the condition. In children, sleep apnea is a thought to be responsible for underperformance in school and other activities.
Central Leeds dentists are able to treat sleep apnea with specially made and fitted dental appliances that can be worn safely and comfortably during the night. These dental moulds support the soft palate, helping to keep airways open to allow a good night’s sleep. If you think you or your child are suffering from sleep apnea, then make an appointment with a Central Leeds dentist for a thorough examination.
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