Sleep apnea is a condition characterized by interrupted breathing during sleep. It occurs when the muscles in the throat and mouth relax, causing the airway to become partially or entirely blocked. This obstruction restricts airflow, leading to breathing pauses that last for a few seconds to a few minutes. These pauses can occur multiple times throughout the night, severely impacting sleep quality.

There are three types of sleep apnea:

1. Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA): The most prevalent form of sleep apnea, obstructive sleep apnea occurs when the throat muscles relax, causing an airway blockage.
2. Central Sleep Apnea (CSA): CSA is less common and involves a malfunction in the brain’s respiratory control, where the brain fails to send proper signals to the muscles responsible for breathing.
3. Complex Sleep Apnea Syndrome (CSAS): Also known as mixed sleep apnea, CSAS is a combination of both obstructive and central sleep apnea.

Common symptoms of sleep apnea include:

• Loud snoring
• Pauses in breathing during sleep, often observed by a bed partner
• Excessive daytime sleepiness
• Morning headaches
• Difficulty concentrating
• Irritability
• Fatigue
• Frequent awakenings during the night to urinate (nocturia)
• Dry mouth or sore throat upon waking

If you’re experiencing any of these symptoms or believe you have sleep apnea, contact our Cosmo dental office today to set up your consultation.

There are various causes and risk factors for developing sleep apnea. These include:

• Gender: Men are generally at a higher risk of developing sleep apnea than women, although the risk increases for women after menopause.
• Age: Sleep apnea is more common in older adults, but it can affect people of all ages, including children.
• Family History: A family history of sleep apnea may increase the risk.
• Alcohol and Sedative Use: The consumption of alcohol or sedative medications can relax throat muscles, increasing the risk of airway obstruction.
• Smoking: Smokers are more likely to develop sleep apnea due to increased inflammation and fluid retention in the upper airway.
• Nasal Congestion: Chronic nasal congestion or allergies can make it difficult to breathe through the nose, increasing the likelihood of developing sleep apnea.
• Neck Circumference: People with a thicker neck circumference may have a narrower airway, making them more susceptible to OSA.
• Hormones: Hormonal changes, such as those occurring during pregnancy or polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), can increase the risk of sleep apnea.

To obtain a sleep apnea diagnosis, you’ll likely experience the following:

1. Physical Examination: We’ll conduct a thorough examination of your mouth, throat, and neck to identify any anatomical factors that may contribute to sleep apnea, such as enlarged tonsils or a narrow airway. If we believe you may be suffering from sleep apnea, we’ll refer you to a sleep specialist for a sleep study.
2. Sleep Study: A level 3 sleep study–often referred to as Home Sleep Apnea Test (HSAT)– is done from the comfort of your own home– not a sleep lab or hospital. You will use a sleep study kit at home that records your breathing activity, oxygen levels, and heart rate throughout the course of the night.
3. Diagnosis: The sleep specialist will go over the results of your sleep study to determine if you have sleep apnea. For people with sleep apnea, you’ll get your diagnosis at our Cosmo dental office where we’ll create your custom treatment plan.