Sleep Apnea

What is Sleep Apnea?

Sleep Apnea is a condition that affects your breathing while you sleep. When you have sleep apnea, it causes short pauses in your breathing. These breathing disruptions affect the quality of your sleep.

One of the primary symptoms of sleep apnea is waking up feeling tired. Additionally, sleep apnea can cause:

  • Loud snoring
  • A headache in the morning
  • Dry mouth
  • Irritability

If you’re waking up feeling like you haven’t rested well or you’re snoring loudly, don’t hesitate to consult with the team at Rad Orthodontics about sleep apnea. Diagnosing your condition helps you get better rest.

To improve the quality of your sleep, sleep apnea treatment at Rad Orthodontics starts with identifying the type of sleep apnea that’s affecting you.

What are the different types of Sleep Apnea?

There are three distinct types of sleep apnea:

Obstructive sleep apnea

The most common type of sleep apnea, this condition occurs when the muscles of your throat relax as you sleep. This causes your airways to narrow, blocking airflow. Your brain registers this oxygen shortage and wakes you momentarily to restore airflow.

You might not be aware of these regular awakenings because they happen so quickly, but they still disrupt the quality of your sleep.

Central sleep apnea

This condition occurs when your brain doesn’t send the right signals to the muscles that allow you to breathe. Central sleep apnea is much less common than obstructive sleep apnea.

Complex sleep apnea

If you’re affected by both obstructive and central sleep apnea, you have complex sleep apnea.

Whichever type of sleep apnea is affecting you, your Rad Orthodontics provider helps you find the most effective treatment.

How is sleep apnea treated?

Many people assume that a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machine is the only treatment for sleep apnea. But that’s not true. The team at Rad Orthodontics offers specialized appliances to relieve your sleep apnea without the need for this machine.

These oral appliances are designed to fit comfortably in your mouth as you sleep. When you wear your sleep apnea appliance, it shifts your jaw forward slightly. This opens up your airway, allowing you to breathe normally throughout the night. What’s more, this sleep apnea appliance also helps to relieve snoring.

To learn more about sleep apnea and your treatment options, call Rad Orthodontics or book a visit online today.