What Is Sleep Apnea?

Sleep apnea is a night-time condition that causes the patient to stop breathing at various times throughout the night. Studies have shown that patients usually have pauses in normal breathing hundreds of times each night, each episode lasting up to 30 seconds, if not longer. There are three main types: obstructive, complex, and central. In each type, your breathing stops too long and too often. But the reason why breathing stops depends on the type.

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is caused by some sort of blockage that occurs within the airway that impedes the natural flow of breathing. With central sleep apnea (CSA), the problems with breathing throughout the night occur because of miscommunication within the brain. This makes diagnosis even more vital as it’s important to not only know if you have it or not, but it’s crucial to know what type you have so that the treatment prescribed to you works flawlessly.

Sleep Apnea Testing

The WatchPat is worn on the wrist with a pulse-oxygen meter on the finger and a tube that monitors breathing is worn under the nose. A sleep study (also called a polysomnogram) is the only definitive way to tell whether or not you suffer from sleep apnea, and how severe that apnea might be. Sleep studies can be conducted in a sleep laboratory or at home using an ambulatory sleep study device such as the WatchPat (featured at right). In either case, the tests are completely painless and just take one night. At a sleep lab, the technicians may have you try a CPAP machine to see if that helps you. If you do not want to undergo a study in a lab that may involve a CPAP, then the take-home sleep study may be the better option for you and is likely acceptable to your insurance carrier. The results are analyzed by a physician who will then give a definitive diagnosis. From there, the Doctors at Advanced Dental Sleep Treatment Center can help you to find the treatment that is right for you.

Benefits of Treatment

Sleep apnea may happen while you’re sleeping, but the benefits of treatment last all day. With treatment, you’ll find that you have more energy. You will be less likely to fall asleep during the day at work, in the car, or in front of the TV. Your health will improve. You will find that you are more likely to want to exercise and be better able to exercise. Your lung capacity may improve. You’ll find you’re less tempted by junk food, and you’ll find it’s easier to lose weight. You’ll also find you’re less irritable and better able to enjoy life.

And when it is time to go to sleep, you’ll love going to bed with your partner. Both of you will be able to sleep through the night, with no elbows thrown!

Sleep Apnea Treated Today!

If you’re interested in being diagnosed and given the proper sleep apnea treatment that you require, the Doctors at Advanced Dental Sleep Treatment Center, along with the help of a sleep physician, will be able to provide you with the answers you need. We want to help you as we know the true danger that lies behind untreated or improperly treated sleep apnea! Call our office at (402) 493-4175 or contact us online.