10/20/2015 10:57
Obstructive sleep apnea is the most common form of sleep apnea out there. In fact, the National Sleep Foundation states that OSA affects more than 18 million Americans every night as they sleep. Unfortunately, there are even more people who are suffering from this form of sleep apnea and are unaware of it. Our Pasadena sleep apnea dentist recommends taking note of any symptoms you may have if you think you may be suffering from this dangerous sleep disorder.
Obstructive sleep apnea, or OSA, occurs when there is a complete or partial blockage in the airways while the person is asleep. Most often, it is due to the fact that the soft tissues at the back of the throat collapse and block, or even close, the upper airway as the body relaxes. As there is restriction in the amount of oxygen the body is taking in, sleep apnea can be extremely dangerous and harmful to the body. Those who are obese, have a larger neck, have a narrow throat, have a larger tongue or tonsils, or who have a smaller lower jaw than their upper jaw are more commonly affected by obstructive sleep apnea. Nonetheless, anyone can suffer from OSA, even children.
The most frequent indication of obstructive sleep apnea is when a sleeper has loud, chronic snoring. Often times, the first person to assume that there is a problem is the sleep partner, as the intense snoring usually affects everyone around them. Those suffering from OSA generally feel very tired throughout the day or even as though they have not gotten any rest at all. In addition, abruptly awakening with a shortness of breath and the difficulty remaining asleep throughout the night are very prominent signs of apnea occurring. While these may seem like not-so-troublesome symptoms, those with OSA can also be more irritable and have problems paying attention throughout the day. It is habitual for OSA sufferers to even wake up with headaches and a dry mouth. For any of these symptoms, it can be very helpful to write them down as the first step for treating it.
Does this sound familiar to you or your sleep partner? If so, contact our expert in obstructive sleep apnea in Pasadena to schedule a consultation to help diagnose and treat your OSA.
