How often do you wake up in the morning with a headache, not feeling rested at all? Does your sleep partner complain about the sounds you make during the night, noises that sound like gasping or choking for air?
If you answered yes to these questions, there’s a chance you may have obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), a common and potentially serious disorder that involves interrupted breathing patterns during a person’s sleep. Untreated sleep apnea can result in repeated stops in breathing during your sleep, preventing your brain and the rest of your body from getting enough rest.
What Causes Sleep Apnea?
Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA), the most common form of apnea, is caused when the soft tissue in the back of the throat collapses during sleep and blocks the airway. Blocked airways mean blocked breathing, and those with OSA can stop breathing for up to 30 seconds several times a night.
Signs You May Have Sleep Apnea
When it comes to sleep apnea, some people are at greater risk than others. Men are more apt to have sleep apnea than women, and those who are overweight are more at risk than those who are at a healthy weight. If you or your bed partner have noticed any of the following, you may want to consider the possibility that you have sleep apnea.
Tired Days
If the quality of your sleep is declining, you’ll notice by the way you feel during the day. It is quite common for the effects of sleep apnea to result in more-than-normal sleepiness and irritability and less productivity during the hours you’re supposed to be awake and functioning at your best.
Restless Nights
Do you toss and turn at night? It’s not uncommon for those who are having trouble breathing at night to kick and thrash, often waking up in twisted sheets.
Noisy Sleep
If your sleep is defined by loud, persistent snoring, gasping, and breaks in breathing, take that as a warning sign that you may be suffering from sleep apnea. Just because you snore does not mean you have sleep apnea, but everyone with sleep apnea snores.
Symptoms of Sleep Apnea
Many people don’t know that they have sleep apnea. They come to see us because of a partner’s concern about their snoring and breathing, or they are experiencing these otherwise unexplained symptoms:
- Dry mouth
- Sore throat
- Headaches
- Insomnia
- Excessive sleepiness
- Irritability and attention issues
When to Call Us
If you have the three most common warning signs listed above, call, and schedule an appointment with us. Dr. Gilbert will likely order a sleep study to help diagnose sleep apnea and explore non-surgical solutions first.
If you are concerned that your child may have sleep apnea, bring your child into our office.
Following diagnosis, Dr. Gilbert will examine the child’s upper airway. Dr. Gilbert may recommend the removal of your child’s tonsils and adenoids to solve the problem and possibly refer you to an otolaryngologist (an ear, nose, and throat specialist) or a pulmonologist (a lung specialist).
Treating Sleep Apnea: Non-invasive and surgical options.
Diagnosed with sleep apnea or not, we can help. There are many options available to us in the treatment of sleep apnea. We always start with conservative methods and home instructions before moving onto more significant treatments. We would love to discuss with you your sleeping issues and possible treatment options.
Dr. Gilbert is an expert in surgical treatment options for those patients that fail to experience the resolution of symptoms with all other conservative options. He works closely with all members of your medical and dental team to achieve optimal care.
We believe in creating and delivering value through outstanding patient experiences and sustainable results. Dr. Gilbert will spend dedicated time with you as he performs a comprehensive sleep apnea consultation.
If you have unexplained snoring, sluggishness, or headaches, begin your journey to a deeper, more restful sleep with us. Call us today at Inland Institute - Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery Office Phone Number 909-982-8888 or book an online appointment.