Sleep Apnea

What is Sleep Apnea

Sleep apnea is a potentially serious sleep disorder in which breathing repeatedly stops and starts. It occurs when the muscles in the back of your throat relax, and your airway narrows or closes as you sleep, interrupting your breathing. There are three types of sleep apnea: obstructive sleep apnea, central sleep apnea, and mixed sleep apnea. People with sleep apnea may snore loudly and usually experience frequent waking episodes during the night, which can lead to daytime sleepiness.

Obstructive Sleep Apnea: Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) is a sleep disorder in which a person’s airway becomes blocked multiple times during the night, resulting in periods of interrupted breathing. This disorder occurs when the throat muscles relax too much and cause the airway to close, reducing or completely stopping the airflow. OSA is a serious health condition that can lead to several health problems, such as high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, and diabetes. OSA is more common in adults and can be treated with lifestyle changes such as losing weight, avoiding alcohol, and sleeping on your side.

Central Sleep Apnea: Central Sleep Apnea (CSA) is a sleep disorder in which breathing repeatedly stops and starts during sleep due to a lack of signal from the brain to the muscles that control breathing. It is a sleep-related breathing disorder distinct from obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), which occurs when the throat muscles intermittently relax and block the airway. The primary symptom of CSA is excessive daytime sleepiness, and other symptoms include insomnia, poor concentration, morning headaches, and fatigue. CSA is more common in adults but can affect anyone of any age.

Mixed Sleep Apnea: Mixed sleep apnea is a type of sleep disorder characterized by both obstructive and central sleep apnea. Obstructive sleep apnea is caused by blockage of the airway due to the collapse of the soft tissues in the throat and is the most common type of sleep apnea. Central sleep apnea, on the other hand, is caused by the failure of the brain to send signals to the muscles that control breathing. Mixed sleep apnea is a combination of both types of apnea and can occur when a person is transitioning between sleeping and waking. Symptoms of mixed sleep apnea include snoring, excessive daytime sleepiness, and pauses in breathing during sleep.

At Acorn Dental, Dr. Kim takes a comprehensive approach to sleep apnea. She works with her patients to develop individualized treatment plans tailored to their needs.

Sleep Apnea Treatment

Dr. Kim is highly trained in the diagnosis and treatment of sleep apnea. She will first conduct a thorough physical exam to identify any potential risk factors for sleep apnea. She will then likely recommend a sleep study conducted in your home. Several measurements are taken to determine your sleep patterns during a sleep study. 

Once a diagnosis is made, Dr. Kim will work with you to develop a treatment plan tailored to your needs. This could include lifestyle changes such as weight loss, quitting smoking, and avoiding alcohol and sleeping pills. Dr. Kim may also recommend using a Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) machine.

CPAP

Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) is a treatment used to treat sleep apnea. It is a non-invasive therapy that uses a machine to deliver a steady stream of air pressure through a mask placed over the nose and mouth. The pressure from the CPAP machine helps to keep the airway open during sleep, allowing for continuous and uninterrupted breathing. CPAP machines have various features and settings that enable users to customize their treatment. Standard features include adjustable pressure, automatic altitude adjustment, heated humidification, and noise reduction. CPAP therapy can be used daily to treat sleep apnea and other related sleep disorders, such as snoring.

Sleep Apnea Treatment in Marlton, NJ

At Acorn Dental, owner Dr. Sherly, practice doctor Dr. Kim, and our team take great pride in providing our patients with the highest quality of care. We understand that sleep apnea can be a complex condition to cope with, and we strive to make the diagnosis and treatment process as comfortable and stress-free as possible.

If you are concerned that you may have sleep apnea or want to learn more about the condition, we encourage you to contact us at Acorn Dental. Dr. Kim is here to help you get the treatment you need to improve your quality of life.