Many of us experience what’s called simple snoring that occasionally occurs because of illness or consuming too much alcohol too late in the evening. While annoying to your sleep partner, simple snoring isn’t necessarily a health problem.
But severe or excessive snoring is often the result of sleep apnea, a sleep-related breathing disorder. The most common type of sleep apnea is called obstructive sleep apnea, or OSA. It is estimated that over 20 million Americans suffer from this condition, and about 80 percent of these cases range from moderate to severe.
Why Sleep Apnea Is A Problem
We refer to it as “obstructive” because your airway is blocked, which prevents you from breathing normally during sleep. This blockage typically occurs because the tongue and soft tissue in your throat have collapsed or fallen back and obstructed your airway. The vibration that results when you attempt to breathe in and out causes you to snore.
A sleep apnea episode occurs when you are not getting sufficient oxygen and you stop breathing. Your brain sends a signal to your body to wake up and breathe, which is usually accompanied by a loud gasping or snorting sound. For severe sleep apnea sufferers, this can occur hundreds of times of night.
The frequent lack of sufficient oxygen deprives your body of desperately-needed sleep and can affect the way you function from day to day. In addition to excessive snoring, those with OSA tend to experience the following signs:
- Headaches
- Excessive daytime sleepiness
- Difficulty concentrating
We Provide the Relief You Need
Manhattan Beach sleep apnea dentist Dr. Joel Gould has had great success in providing relief for sleep apnea patients using a customized oral device. Its purpose is to position the jaw slightly forward while you sleep, which eliminates the obstruction and allows you to breathe freely again.
If you suffer from any of these typical signs of sleep apnea, please call our office. We will arrange a consultation so we can determine the extent of your OSA and help you finally get a good night’s rest.