There are different types of sleep apnea a patient may be diagnosed with. What are the differences between mild and severe obstructive sleep apnea?

Mild Sleep Apnea Characteristics

If you’ve been diagnosed with mild sleep apnea, this means you experience between 5 and 14 different instances of cessation of breathing every hour. When you think about the standard person sleeping 8 hours, this means you could stop breathing over 100 times every single night! Mild sleep apnea may also be accompanied by fatigue during the day as well as snoring at night.

Your partner may notice that you have a restless sleep or wake frequently during the night. Typically, a person with sleep apnea will have no recollection of these periods of being unable to breathe. Although mild, this form of obstructive sleep apnea still needs to be treated.

Severe Sleep Apnea Symptoms

People who have severe sleep apnea stop breathing 30 times or more every hour while they’re asleep. This means they may stop breathing almost 250 times every night. Severe sleep apnea shares many common symptoms with mild sleep apnea, such as snoring, fatigue, and restless sleep, although these symptoms may be more pronounced.

If you have severe sleep apnea, you’re also much more likely to experience other health problems that come with obstructive sleep apnea, including headaches upon waking, severe fatigue during the day, and even suffering from depression. Severe sleep apnea is life- threatening and should be treated by a specialist.

Diagnosis and Treatment

Any additional medical conditions you have as well as the severity of your fatigue may influence what level of obstructive sleep apnea you have. A sleep study, which typically occurs overnight, is the most common way to properly diagnose sleep apnea. Your dentist can talk with you about your symptoms and refer you to a sleep specialist if you suspect you suffer from this disorder.

For many years, continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machines were considered to be the only treatment for sleep apnea. Modern advances in treatment have enabled most types of sleep apnea to be treated with oral sleep appliances. These appliances don’t fit much differently than a retainer and are easy to wear and travel with. Best of all, they help alleviate your symptoms of sleep apnea, helping your life return to normal.

Are you experiencing any symptoms of sleep apnea? Your dentist or physician can help you get a proper diagnosis so that you can get the treatment you need to experience a better night’s sleep. Talk with your dentist today about your symptoms to determine if mild or severe obstructive sleep apnea could be impacting your life and your health!

The post What Are the Differences Between Mild and Severe Obstructive Sleep Apnea? appeared first on Your Dental Health Resource.

Sleep apnea should be evaluated and addressed due to its devastating effects on the body. How
do you know whether or not you’re suffering from sleep apnea? Here are the top signs you may
need to seek help!

Snoring

If you know you snore or your partner tells you that you snore, this is a sign of an obstructed
airway and could point to sleep apnea. Snoring is one of the top signs of this sleep disorder and
is best evaluated by a sleep specialist.

One of the most common types of sleep apnea is obstructive sleep apnea, in which the airway
is blocked by the tissues of the throat, your tongue, or the anatomy of your airway. Snoring
could be indicative of sleep apnea, so get a sleep specialist to check, especially if you’re
experiencing these other symptoms.

Fatigue

Daytime or excessive fatigue is common in people who have sleep apnea. As a result of the
repeated waking during the night from not being able to breathe, your body isn’t able to get
the deep rest that it needs to function during the day.

If you’re excessively tired all the time and still get enough sleep at night, sleep apnea could be
the culprit. This should be evaluated as soon as possible, as daytime fatigue can lead to lack of
concentration and accidents!

Headaches

Having a headache is a painful experience that affects how you function. If you have a
persistent headache, you might be suffering from sleep apnea and not know it.

Since your body is deprived of oxygen in the presence of sleep apnea, this can lead the brain to
be deficient in oxygen as well. This can create headaches or migraines that may be present only
upon waking or throughout the day.If you have unexplained headaches, it’s time to consider if
sleep apnea could be the cause.

Other Health Problems

Sleep apnea can affect your risk for many other health problems. These include heart disease,
high blood pressure, and diabetes. If you suffer from any of these health problems in
combination with the signs above, it’s time to get evaluated for sleep apnea.

Since sleep apnea can be responsible for other health concerns and even cause premature
death, it’s important to seek treatment for your sleep apnea. Treatment can eliminate your
symptoms and help your body function normally again—and you’ll feel better!

Are you seeing any of the above signs in your daily life? From snoring to headaches to fatigue,
sleep apnea can be responsible for all of these symptoms and more. Your dentist can refer you
to a sleep specialist who can help you with a diagnosis. There is hope and treatment for sleep
apnea, so seek help today!

The post Top Signs You May Be Suffering from Sleep Apnea appeared first on Your Dental Health Resource.