Common Sleep Apnea Treatments for Lasting Comfort and Improved Sleep
People with sleep apnea may experience shallow breathing or a pause in their breathing while sleeping, causing them to gasp for air in the middle of the night, disrupting their sleep. Fortunately, there are treatment options for this condition. At Mid-Valley Dental Care, Northridge, California, we can guide you to the best sleep apnea treatment for you.
Sleep Apnea Symptoms
Some common symptoms of sleep apnea are:
- Snoring
- Waking up choking or gasping for air at night
- Frequent headaches in the morning
- Tiredness during the day due to disrupted sleep
- Difficulty falling or staying asleep at night
If you’re experiencing these symptoms, you should inform your doctor so he can take measures to diagnose your condition.
Types of Sleep Apnea
There are basically two types of sleep apnea:
- Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) – While sleeping, your jaw or tongue may press down on your windpipe, blocking air from passing through. This blockage can cause shallow breathing or pauses in your breathing.
- Central sleep apnea (CSA) – CSA causes breathing to stop while you sleep due to issues with your brain or nervous system.
OSA Sleep Apnea Treatments
Sleep apnea treatments won’t cure your condition, but they can reduce your symptoms to improve your sleep. For minor OSA symptoms, Drs. Terence Lau, Casey Lau, and Kayla Lau may recommend nonmedical treatments like weight loss, regular exercises, or changing sleeping positions to sleep on your side instead of on your back and stop smoking. Other treatment options include:
CPAP Device – CPAP machines come with a mask to wear while you sleep. This mask is attached to a hose through which pressurized air is pushed into your windpipe to keep it open so you can breathe. Once you become accustomed to wearing the mask, you can enjoy uninterrupted sleep.
Oral Appliance for Sleep Apnea – You can also wear a sleep apnea mouthpiece at night to keep your jaw or tongue from blocking your windpipe so you can breathe easier while you sleep.
To learn more about sleep apnea treatments and how they can benefit you, contact your Northridge, CA dentists from Mid-Valley Dental Care at (818) 886-3500.