Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) takes a toll on the health of the patient as well as the comfort and happiness of their partner. The Manhattan Beach Sleep Apnea Dentist advises that seeking immediate treatment is essential. We get a lot of questions from patients who don’t really understand sleep apnea and its risks, and we will address some of them here.
What is Obstructive Sleep Apnea?
OSA occurs when a patient momentarily stops breathing or has difficulty breathing during sleep. This is a result of a blocked airway caused by soft oral tissue at the back of the throat. This blocked air passage often causes the patient to snore and awaken several times during the night just so they can start breathing normally again.
Who is at Risk for Developing OSA?
It is important to learn about the factors that create a risk for Obstructive Sleep Apnea so that you can inform your dentist. Here are a few of the more commonly known factors that put someone at risk for developing OSA:
- Men are more prone to suffer from sleep apnea than women
- Overweight patients have a greater likelihood of developing sleep apnea
- Allergy patients are at greater risk of developing obstructive sleep apnea
- A history of sleep apnea in your family also increases the risk of developing it yourself
- A traumatic injury to the nose puts you at greater risk of developing sleep apnea
These are just a few of the more common risk factors for a person to develop sleep apnea. But it is by no means a complete list. The truth is that anyone can develop sleep apnea.
If your partner complains about your disruptive snoring or you find that you suddenly start waking up frequently during the night, contact the Manhattan Beach Sleep Apnea Dentist to discuss the problem and determine if a diagnosis of OSA is likely. There are options available to you so that you can safeguard your health, improve your relationship and get a good night’s sleep.
