Sleep Apnea Treatment in Spanish Fork, UT
Sleep apnea is a sleep-related disorder that occurs when an individual's breathing repeatedly stops and restarts while they sleep. If the condition is left untreated for long, it can increase in intensity and cause excessive and loud snoring, daytime fatigue, or more severe difficulties like heart issues or high blood pressure.
More About Sleep Apnea — How and Why?
When someone has sleep apnea, their breathing gets periodically interrupted while they are asleep. Each episode of sleep apnea usually lasts for 15 to 20 seconds and can occur almost 10 to 100 times in an hour. When breathing stops repeatedly, the brain and the body will not get the needed oxygen. When the breathing restarts, the individual may snort or wake up abruptly with gasping or choking sensations without even realizing it. However, these disturbed and disrupted sleep patterns can make them feel exhausted the day after.
Symptoms of Sleep Apnea
- Extreme daytime fatigue and sleepiness
- Insomnia
- Difficulty paying attention
- Morning headaches
- Dry mouth after waking up
- Loud snoring
- Sore throat
- Reduced tolerance levels
- Reduced sex drive
- Pauses while breathing during sleep
- Difficulty breathing, causing sudden waking up gasping for air
- Bruxism or teeth grinding
- Increase in weight
What Causes Sleep Apnea?
Sleep apnea can occur due to several reasons that include the following:
- Family history
- Obesity
- The size and positioning of the person's neck, tongue, jaw, and other tissues near the throat
- Sedative medications
- Heavy smoking
- Sleeping on one’s back could cause tissues to collapse around the airways
Sleep Apnea Treatments
Sleep apnea treatments aim to prevent the blockage of airways while the patient is asleep.
- Nasal Decongestants
For those who experience mild sleep apnea, nasal decongestants are recommended to provide relief during sleep.
- Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP)
A CPAP facemask keeps the airway open during sleep. It is attached to the patient's nose while sleeping.
- Bilevel Positive Airway Pressure (BiPAP or BPAP)
BiPAP or BPAP is a pressure machine with high and low settings that respond to the patient's breathing pattern.
- Surgery
If the condition is severe, our Spanish Fork, Utah dentist may advise removing the extra tissues at the back of the throat to relieve sleep apnea symptoms.
If you want to know more about our procedures, schedule a consultation by calling us at (385) 448-1500 or book your appointment online.
