Find out how our specialized sleep apnea experts can help you today!
Sleep apnea is a sleep disorder characterized by repeated interruptions in breathing during sleep. These interruptions, called apneas, can lead to decreased airflow or complete pauses in breathing for a brief period of time. These episodes can last for several seconds to minutes and can occur multiple times throughout the night.
There are three main types of sleep apnea:
1. Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA): This is the most common type of sleep apnea. It occurs when the muscles at the back of the throat relax excessively, causing the airway to become blocked or narrowed. This leads to loud snoring and temporary pauses in breathing. The brain then signals the body to wake up slightly to reopen the airway, often resulting in disrupted sleep.
2. Central Sleep Apnea (CSA): This type is less common and occurs when the brain fails to transmit the proper signals to the muscles that control breathing. As a result, the person doesn’t make any effort to breathe for brief periods. CSA is usually associated with certain medical conditions, such as heart failure or stroke.
3. Complex Sleep Apnea Syndrome (Mixed Sleep Apnea): Also known as treatment-emergent central sleep apnea, this type is a combination of both obstructive and central sleep apnea.
The symptoms of sleep apnea can vary depending on the type and severity of the condition, but here are some common symptoms:
1. Loud and chronic snoring: Especially common in obstructive sleep apnea, snoring may be disruptive and loud, often followed by pauses in breathing and gasping for air.
2. Episodes of stopped breathing: People with sleep apnea may experience episodes where they stop breathing during sleep. These episodes can be brief and frequent, often leading to micro-awakenings or arousals that disrupt the sleep cycle.
3. Excessive daytime sleepiness: Individuals with sleep apnea often feel excessively tired and sleepy during the day, even after a full night’s sleep. This can lead to difficulties staying awake, concentrating, and remaining alert.
4. Morning headaches: Waking up with a headache is a common symptom of sleep apnea. This is often caused by the decrease in oxygen levels during sleep and the subsequent disruption of normal sleep patterns.
5. Irritability and mood changes: Sleep apnea can affect mood, leading to irritability, mood swings, and even depression in some cases.
6. Difficulty concentrating and memory problems: Sleep apnea can impact cognitive function, making it difficult to concentrate, remember things, and stay focused on tasks.
7. Frequent nighttime awakenings: People with sleep apnea may wake up frequently throughout the night, often accompanied by a choking or gasping sensation.
8. Waking up with a dry mouth or sore throat: Breathing through the mouth during sleep, which is common in sleep apnea, can lead to a dry mouth or sore throat upon waking.
9. Decreased libido: Sleep apnea can affect hormone levels and lead to a decreased interest in sexual activity.
10. Restless sleep: People with sleep apnea may toss and turn frequently during the night as their body tries to reposition itself to facilitate better breathing.
11. Insomnia: Some individuals with sleep apnea may experience difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep due to the interruptions in breathing.
Sleep apnea can be a serious detriment to your overall health. Some of the impacts to your health are:
1. Daytime Fatigue and Sleepiness: Sleep apnea disrupts normal sleep patterns, leading to frequent awakenings throughout the night. As a result, individuals with sleep apnea often experience excessive daytime sleepiness, which can impair their ability to concentrate, work, and perform daily activities.
2. Cognitive Impairment: Sleep apnea has been linked to cognitive deficits, including difficulties with memory, attention, and problem-solving. This can impact a person’s overall cognitive function and quality of life.
3. Cardiovascular Problems: Sleep apnea is associated with an increased risk of high blood pressure (hypertension), irregular heartbeats (arrhythmias), heart attacks, and strokes. The repeated interruptions in breathing can put stress on the cardiovascular system and contribute to these health issues.
4. Metabolic Disturbances: Sleep apnea is linked to metabolic changes, including insulin resistance and glucose intolerance, which can increase the risk of type 2 diabetes.
5. Weight Gain and Obesity: Sleep apnea and obesity often go hand in hand. Excess weight, especially around the neck, can contribute to the narrowing of the airway, making it more likely for breathing interruptions to occur during sleep.
6. Mood Disorders: People with sleep apnea may be at a higher risk for mood disorders such as depression and anxiety. The disrupted sleep and physiological changes associated with sleep apnea can contribute to these mental health issues.
7. Reduced Quality of Life: The combination of daytime sleepiness, cognitive deficits, and other health problems can lead to a reduced overall quality of life for individuals with sleep apnea.
8. Increased Risk of Accidents: Excessive daytime sleepiness can increase the risk of accidents, especially when driving or operating heavy machinery. Sleep apnea has been associated with a higher likelihood of motor vehicle accidents.
9. Relationship Strain: Loud snoring and abrupt awakenings due to breathing interruptions can disturb a partner’s sleep, potentially leading to relationship strain.
10. Long-Term Health Consequences: If left untreated, sleep apnea can contribute to the development or exacerbation of other health conditions, including heart disease, stroke, and cognitive decline.
Get back to getting the most out of of your sleep. Here’s how our expert staff can help using the Vivos System:
1. Assessment and Diagnosis: We will perform a thorough assessment of the patient’s craniofacial structure, airway, and overall oral health to determine if you are a suitable candidate for the Vivos treatment. This may involve using advanced imaging techniques, such as cone beam computed tomography (CBCT), to visualize the airway and jaw anatomy.
2. Customized Treatment Plan: Based on the assessment findings, we will develop a customized treatment plan tailored to your specific needs. The Vivos System involves using oral appliances (Vivos Devices) that are designed to promote optimal growth and development of the craniofacial structures, thus enhancing the airway space.
3. Vivos Devices: We will provide the patient with a series of Vivos Devices, which are removable oral appliances worn during sleep. These devices are intended to stimulate and guide the growth of the jaw, improve facial muscle function, and help reshape the airway to reduce obstruction and improve airflow.
4. Monitoring and Adjustments: Regular follow-up appointments will be scheduled to monitor the progress of the treatment and make any necessary adjustments to the Vivos Devices. These adjustments ensure that the devices are providing the desired effects and optimizing airway function.
5. Collaboration with Healthcare Professionals: Vivos treatment is often part of a multidisciplinary approach to treating sleep apnea. We may collaborate with other healthcare professionals, such as sleep medicine specialists, ENT (ear, nose, and throat) doctors, and orthodontists, to ensure comprehensive and coordinated care.
6. Long-Term Management: Our experienced team will continue to monitor your progress even after the active treatment phase. Long-term management may involve periodic assessments, adjustments to the oral appliances, and ongoing communication with the patient’s healthcare team.
