Sleep Apnea

Sleep Apnea

Ronald Konig, DDS - Houston, Texas
713-668-2289 - E-mail

Do you snore loudly? If so, your real problem may be a sleep disorder called obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and can be a significant health problem. Obstructive sleep apnea often remains undiagnosed simply because many people are not familiar with the symptoms, but it can be a life-threatening condition if left untreated.

Why do I Snore?

A person snores when his/her airway becomes blocked during the deep breathing that occurs while sleeping. Sometimes the tongue relaxes and falls back towards the throat, blocking the flow of air. As less air is able to pass through, you begin to snore—a result of the vibrations in your throat.

For many people, snoring is a minor problem that causes no permanent damage. For those with sleep apnea, however, harm can occur as the body is repeatedly denied proper amounts of oxygen. Typically, the snorer with sleep apnea will snore loudly, punctuated by periods of ten seconds or more when the sufferer stops breathing completely. The lack of oxygen lightly rouses the person, who begins breathing, then resumes snoring, until he or she stops breathing again. This scenario is repeated as often as 60 or 70 times a night. It’s easy to see how this can disrupt sleep, both for the sleep apnea sufferer and his or her bedmate.

Sleep Apnea and Your Health

Ironically, sleep apnea patients are not even aware of this behavior. In most cases, their sleep partner is the first one to bring it to their attention. However, these unfortunate individuals are aware of how tired they feel during the day, and many long-term health problems can occur as a result of continued disrupted sleep. That’s why it’s so important to seek medical help.

Common symptoms include:

• High blood pressure
• Choking and gasping during sleep
• Night sweats
• Morning headaches
• Dry mouth
• Impaired ability to concentrate
• Depression
• Mood changes
• Heartburn
• Daytime fatigue
• Learning and Memory Problems
• Daytime Sleepiness

Risk factors include:

• Snoring
• Being overweight
• High blood pressure
• Abnormalities of the throat, upper airway, or nose, such as a deviated septum or abnormally small airway
• Neck size of 17” or larger (excess tissue is a risk factor)
• Family history of the disorder

For many sleep apnea sufferers, the CPAP machine alleviates symptoms. However, some find it difficult to use the machine as directed, and do not receive the full benefits. An alternative for those who cannot tolerate CPAP is an oral appliance that repositions your jaw, preventing the tongue from falling into your airway. Dental appliances have a 96% success rate but may not work for everyone. Those with severe cases may require other treatment.

For more information on sleep apnea, click here.

If you think you may be suffering from sleep apnea, seek treatment right away. The Konig Center for Cosmetic and Comprehensive Dentistry in Houston, Texas has helped many sleep apnea patients get back to normal, restful sleep with a variety of treatment options. Please contact Dr. Konig today for your private consultation.