Do you wake up feeling tired after a full night’s sleep? Have you been told that you snore at night? You may have a serious sleep disorder called sleep apnea. Dr. Aaron Barborka provides sleep apnea treatment in his Winchester, VA, dental office.
If you have sleep apnea, your breathing repeatedly stops and starts while you sleep. This condition can lead to poor sleep quality and various health problems if left untreated.
Sleep apnea is much more than a snoring problem. It can drastically affect your health and wellness. Over time, it can create or worsen chronic illnesses. At Peak Dental, we focus on the entire well-being of our Winchester patients. Sleep apnea is part of our restorative dentistry services.
Sleep Apnea in Winchester, VA
Sleep apnea happens when a person’s breathing is interrupted during sleep. These interruptions can last from a few seconds to minutes and can happen multiple times per hour. When breathing stops, the body’s oxygen levels drop, and the brain briefly wakes you up to restart breathing. These awakenings are usually so brief that you don’t remember them, but they disrupt your sleep cycle.
There are three main types of sleep apnea. The most common type is Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA). It occurs when the muscles in the back of your throat relax too much, causing a blockage in the airway. Central Sleep Apnea (CSA) happens when the brain fails to send the right signals to the muscles that control breathing. Complex Sleep Apnea occurs when someone has both obstructive sleep apnea and central sleep apnea.
Why Seek Treatment for Sleep Apnea?
Leaving sleep apnea untreated can lead to several serious health problems. Frequent drops in oxygen levels can increase blood pressure and put a strain on the cardiovascular system. Sleep apnea increases the risk of heart attack, stroke, and abnormal heartbeats. It is linked to insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes. Sleep apnea can also lead to liver function abnormalities and poor sleep quality, resulting in extreme daytime drowsiness. This can affect your performance at work or school and increase the risk of accidents.
Treatment Options for Sleep Apnea
There are various ways to treat sleep apnea. Making some changes in your daily habits can help manage the condition. Losing even a small amount of weight can reduce airway obstruction. Regular physical activity can help ease the symptoms of sleep apnea. Reducing alcohol intake and quitting smoking can improve sleep apnea symptoms. Sleeping on your side rather than your back can prevent your tongue and soft tissues from blocking your airway.
For moderate to severe sleep apnea, Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) is the most common and effective treatment. A CPAP machine delivers a constant stream of air through a mask, keeping your airways open during sleep. For mild to moderate sleep apnea, dental devices can be an effective treatment. These devices, worn in the mouth during sleep, help keep the airway open by bringing the lower jaw forward. Dentists with special training in sleep medicine can fit these devices.