Have you ever felt as though you had a great night’s rest, only to end up drowsy the next day? Perhaps your loved one complains and says your snoring is obnoxious. Do you feel as though you are constantly short of breath throughout the night? Do you wake frequently? If so, you may be among some 22 million Americans suffering from the lack of deep restorative sleep due to a condition known as sleep apnea.

There are 3 types of sleep apnea:

Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) – This is the most common of the three types. In this case, the tongue collapses into the soft palate which then presses into the back of the throat, closing off the airway during sleep. The most noticeable sign of OSA is uncommonly loud snoring marked by periods of silence. It is important to note that not all snoring is a sign of OSA, so be sure to note any periods of silence and if snoring is louder when laying on your back versus switching to your side.

Central Sleep Apnea (CSA) – This is a less common type of sleep apnea whose cause is rooted in the brain. CSA occurs when, for a variety of reasons, your brain does not send the proper signals to the muscles which control your breathing. Snoring is not typically as common in CSA as it is in OSA, with your breath being a much bigger indicator. Severe daytime drowsiness, shortness of breath that awakens you during the night, and difficulty staying asleep are all signs of this form of sleep apnea.

Mixed Sleep Apnea (MSA) – The third and final type of sleep apnea is a mixture of the two, oftentimes referred to as complex sleep apnea. Mixed sleep apnea occurs when someone who previously suffered from OSA develops CSA due to the use of a CPAP machine. This is the least prevalent form of sleep apnea, and it usually resolves over time.

Why is this important?

Sleep apnea is considered a serious medical condition. With such regular sleep interruption comes a variety of severe health concerns. It can also be increasingly challenging to operate heavy machinery or a vehicle when dealing with sleep dysfunction.

A few conditions sleep apnea has been linked to:

• Dementia
• Diabetes
• Depression
• Obesity
• High Blood Pressure
• Chronic Fatigue
• Motor Vehicle Accidents

How can the dentist help?

Fortunately, obstructive sleep apnea is one of the sleep disorders that is easily treatable. Dr. John Montoya has the experience and technology that can quickly relieve your obstructive sleep apnea or snoring at night.

Dr. Montoya can perform an airway evaluation that will help determine if you may be at risk for Sleep apnea. He can also set you up with a take-home sleep test that will give an accurate diagnosis. This home sleep study will help to diagnose your sleep disorder and is easy to complete.

We want you to rest easy again! Come see Dr. John Montoya in Boulder, CO for a consultation and a home sleep study kit. Once we can find out the cause of your symptoms, Dr. Montoya can provide a simple and comfortable treatment for you.

Ready to get screened for Sleep Apnea and other sleep breathing disorders? Click HERE to schedule an appointment with Boulder Dental Designs TODAY!