What Is Obstructive Sleep Apnea And How Do You Treat It. This is a sleep condition in which there is an involuntary stoppage or break in breathing for a brief period of time during sleep. Here are a few facts about this condition.
- It is estimated that about 22 million Americans are affected by Obstructive Sleep Apnea and order forms of sleep disorders.
- Otherwise known as OSA, about 80% of both moderate and severe Obstructive Sleep Apnea cases are left undiagnosed.
- The risk factors of this condition include being male, overweight, and over the age of forty. However, the condition can affect anyone of any age, and this includes children.
- Located in Petaluma, California, Von Chan DDS is a dentist that offers innovative and leading-edge dental care to the community of Petaluma.
- Von Chan DDS has received so many positive testimonials from its many visitors. Customers have described the dental practice as “fantastic” and “terrific.”
Under normal circumstances, airflow through the nose and mouth into the lungs is very smooth. But with Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA), the airflow is interrupted for brief periods of time. Snoring is the main characteristic of this condition.
Symptoms Of (OSA)
OSA causes a reduced supply of oxygen to the brain as well as to other parts of the body. This causes poor quality of sleep, and, in some cases, causes drowsiness during the day. Here are some of the symptoms.
- Headaches that tend to be very difficult to treat
- A lack of clarity in the morning
- Drowsiness during the day
- Forgetfulness
- Lack of interest in sexual activities
- The condition causes hyperactivity in children
What Are The Main Causes Of Obstructive Sleep Apnea?
- It has been suggested that the main cause of this condition is being overweight.
- Sleeping on one’s back can also cause the condition or even aggravate it.
- Evidence shows that this condition is more dominant in older people.
Treatment Of Obstructive Sleep Apnea
The main goal when it comes to the treatment of Obstructive Sleep Apnea is to ensure that during sleep, the airflow from the mouth and nose to the lungs is not obstructed. Thus, the treatment methods include the following:
- Weight loss: This has proven to be one of the most effective treatments for Obstructive Sleep Apnea.
- Nasal decongestants: These are mainly for mild Obstructive Sleep Apnea. Plus, they help to relieve snoring.
- Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP): This treatment is administered through the use of a face mask that is worn at night. The mask provides positive airflow during sleep to ensure that there is no interruption.
- Repositioning: Positional therapy is used to help people sleep in positions that do not affect the spine and cause the condition.
- Surgery: Here, extra tissues are removed from the back of the throat to help relieve snoring. However, the procedure does not offer a complete cure for the condition. Plus, it may come with some complications.
- Bilevel Positive Airway Pressure: These are pressure machines that are usually resorted to if CPAP does not yield positive results.
If you live in and around the Petaluma, California area and you are experiencing any of the symptoms mentioned above, feel free to pay a visit to Von Chan DDS Dentistry. Our friendly, professional staff will welcome you with open arms and make you feel at ease.
