Sleep Apnea Questions

Springfield, Holyoke, Longmeadow, and Wilbraham, MA

Snoring Treatment

What causes snoring?

During sleep, the throat muscles relax, which is natural, and does not necessarily cause snoring. But if the tongue or any extra fatty tissue collapses against the airway, passing air can make it vibrate, producing that snoring sound.

What causes sleep apnea?

In Obstructive Sleep Apnea, the muscles and soft tissues in your throat relax so much that your airway becomes blocked and you stop breathing. Your blood oxygen level drops and the brain instructs you to “wake up” so you can unblock your airway. Your sleep pattern is interrupted and you may gasp or choke. This process can occur hundreds of times each night.

In Central Sleep Apnea, your brain fails to tell your breathing muscles to force air in and out of your body. Certain individuals are more at risk for Central Sleep Apnea, including those who have had diseases, illnesses or medical conditions that damage the brainstem.

Who is at risk for developing sleep apnea?

There are certain factors that can increase your risk for developing obstructive sleep apnea:

• Obesity
• High blood pressure
• Alcohol or drug use
• Smoking
• A naturally narrow air passage
• A neck size of 17.5 inches or larger
• A history of sleep apnea in the family
• An age over 65

What can be done to treat my sleep apnea?

If you have been diagnosed with sleep apnea, you may have been prescribed a CPAP machine (Continuous Positive Airway Pressure). This consists of a facial mask connected via a tube to a vacuum pump at the bedside. The mask is uncomfortable, the pump is noisy, and the tube inhibits your movement during sleep. Therefore 75 percent of people on this treatment abandon it.

At Baystate Dental we can fit you with an oral appliance to wear at night. It will be a custom appliance to move your lower jaw or tongue forward slightly and keep it in that position as you sleep. This will help to keep your airway open and allow you to get a restful night’s sleep.

There are other steps you can take to make your sleep apnea treatment even more successful:

• Lose weight
• Stop smoking
• Sleep on your side
• Avoid excessive alcohol consumption

Why should I worry about sleep apnea?

Even though you may not remember waking up to take breaths as you sleep, this repeated pattern throughout the night interrupts your deep sleep and does not allow you get quality rest. That creates general stress for the body. But the danger is in the insufficient oxygen you body has. By ceasing to breathe so often every night, your bloodstream becomes oxygen-depleted, which means your brain and heart are lacking oxygen. This endangers your health, putting you at greater risk for heart attacks, stroke, high blood pressure, and many other conditions.

If you live in the East Longmeadow, Longmeadow, Wilbraham, West Springfield or Springfield, MA area and think you may be experiencing sleep apnea, please contact us at Baystate Dental and one of our sleep apnea dentists can schedule time to give you a free sleep apnea consultation.