Bad things happen when you stop breathing. It is estimated that 1 in 9 adults in the US suffers from some form of sleep apnea, a disorder characterized by breathing problems while sleeping.
The most common form of sleep apnea is obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), which occurs when your tongue relaxes against the surrounding soft tissues of your throat and your windpipe is temporarily blocked while sleeping. Very short, interrupted blockages cause snoring. The greater the length of time the airway is blocked, the greater the risk. Blockages of longer than 30 seconds cause noticeable decreases in blood oxygen and increase the risk of heart problems.
What are the Warning Signs of Sleep Apnea?
Warning signs and symptoms of sleep apnea include:
- Loud snoring
- Frequent silences during sleep due to breaks in breathing (apnea)
- Choking or gasping during sleep to get air into the lungs
- Sudden awakenings to restart breathing or waking up in a sweat
- Daytime sleepiness and feeling un-refreshed by a night’s sleep, including falling
asleep at inappropriate times
How is Sleep Apnea Diagnosed?
Diagnosis of sleep apnea requires a battery of tests, called polysomnography, or sleep study.
- Mild forms of sleep apnea include loud snoring and 12 or less short interruptions (no more than 10 seconds) in breathing per hour.
- Moderate sleep apnea includes 13 to 25 apnetic episodes per hour of 10 seconds or longer duration.
- Severe sleep apnea includes more than 25 apnetic episodes per hour of sleep, dips in blood oxygen level of greater than 3%, or an irregular heartbeat.
Sleep apnea can cause cardiac arrhythmias (heart rhythm problems) and could potentially be fatal. If you suspect you know someone at risk, please seek help! Call us for a free consultation or download the Special Report on Sleep Apnea below.
Call 816.587.6444 for a consultation about Solutions for Snoring and Sleep Apnea.
Special Report
Sleep Apnea: The Silent Killer
"Bad things happen when you stop breathing. It is estimated that one in 9 adults in the United States suffers from some form of sleep apnea, a sleep disorder characterized by airway obstruction. The most common symptoms are loud snoring and a choking sensation. Sleep apnea can be fatal. If you suspect you know someone at risk, please read this special report."
Click here for the FREE special report Sleep Apnea: The Silent Killer.
Treatment of Snoring and Sleep Apnea are not recognized by the ADA as specialty areas and require no specific educational training to advertise this service. Dentist, Dr. Deyton of Deyton Dentistry, practices general and comprehensive dentistry in Kansas City, Missouri (MO) and surrounding locations.