Obstructive Sleep Apnea North Olmsted

What Causes Obstructive Sleep Apnea?

Although there may be different reasons why obstructive sleep apnea occurs, the most common culprit is the soft tissues of the mouth collapsing onto the throat. When the throat becomes relaxed, these soft tissues can fall back onto your airway, making it difficult to breathe freely. As time goes by, the brain becomes triggered by the body’s need to breathe. This spurs the sudden awakening and gasping for air. These episodes can occur hundreds of times in a given night without a patient even realizing it!

Possible Complications of OSA

Having a partner who can tell you if you snore loudly or stop breathing throughout the night can be one of the most helpful ways to indicate a more serious problem; after all, many patients are unaware of their own snoring or sleep apnea episodes. However, other recognizable problems can arise that often point to OSA, such as:

• High blood pressure
• Stroke
• Heart attack
• Drowsy driving
• Chronic fatigue
• Frequent headaches
• Moodiness
• Obesity/weight gain
• Loss of libido
  

Types of Treatment for Obstructive Sleep Apnea

When visiting Dr. Ryan to discuss your sleep apnea, there is a good chance that she will review all of the possible treatment options, not just oral appliance therapy. It is often helpful to combine solutions to minimize symptoms and improve quality of life; however, above all else, we’ll be certain to find a combination of treatments that help you effectively manage your condition. This might include:

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Lifestyle Changes

If smoking, alcohol consumption, or your weight are contributing to your OSA, Dr. Ryan might recommend implementing certain lifestyle changes as part of your treatment plan. This might include looking over resources to help you quit tobacco usage, limiting your alcohol, and establishing an exercise routine and healthy diet; often, the healthier you are in general, the less likely you’ll be severely impacted by sleep apnea!

CPAP

Continuous positive airway treatment (CPAP) is a common form of sleep apnea treatment that many patients use. As air is pushed through a soft nasal mask that is worn over both the nose and mouth (or just the nose), it keeps the airway open while sleeping.

Oral Appliance Treatment

A custom-fitted oral appliance is an effective treatment option for sleep breathing disorders such as obstructive sleep apnea and snoring, and many patients prefer it over CPAP therapy due to their ease of use and comfort. Fitting much like a sports mouthguard, they work by repositioning the jaw to open the central airway and allow an unobstructed flow of oxygen. The appliance can also help address the many disorders associated with challenges such as persistent fatigue and teeth grinding, among others.

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Combined Therapy

If you have severe OSA, combined therapy can be an effective option. This includes using both an oral appliance and CPAP machine together to ensure your airway remains open. While the CPAP machine is set on a lower setting, you wear the oral appliance to sleep, and both work together to keep air flowing freely.

Surgery

In the most severe situations when sleep apnea poses a major threat to your health, there are instances when we might recommend surgery. Rest assured though; our team can help you take the next steps should we deem it necessary.