Sleep apnea is a sleep disorder that affects many people around the world. If you are someone who experiences loud snoring and feels sleepy even when you have slept well, you might have the disorder. It happens when your breath stops and starts many times. You might stop breathing during your sleep for some time.
You may also experience a headache in the morning or get up with a dry mouth. These are a few of the many symptoms of sleep apnea. In Dexter, residents can reach out to the dentist office on 5th Street and seek intervention on time. Not seeking treatment can escalate the problem and make it even worse.
What are the different types of sleep apnea?
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Obstructive Sleep Apnea
The first type is the most common among the three. It is characterized by muscles of the throat relaxing and blocking the passage of air in your lungs. You are likely to choke and experience it many times during your sleep.
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Central Sleep Apnea
In the case of Central sleep apnea, your brain does not receive the proper signal, and thus, breathing gets hindered. This type can make it difficult for you to fall asleep.
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Complex Sleep Apnea
In this one, a person already has obstructive sleep apnea, and it gets converted into the second type when you try to seek therapy for it. It is a combination of the two types mentioned above.
What are the causes of sleep apnea?
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Increase in weight or obesity
If you are overweight, you might be at significant risk of developing sleep apnea, specifically Obstructive Sleep Apnea. It is due to the excess fat that might start to collect in areas that may block air passageways, like around the neck region and obstruct breathing. As a result, you might experience repeated episodes of sleep apnea.
Furthermore, men are at greater risk of developing such disorders. If a woman develops the disorder, it can be due to her weight or hormonal imbalance.
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Smoking and other factors related to lifestyle.
People who smoke are at a greater risk of developing this disorder than those who do not smoke at all. Furthermore, alcoholics also can develop the disorder. In the case of smoking, inflammation happens, and in the case of alcohol, the muscles in your throat relax, thereby increasing the chances of collapse of air passage.
People in Dexter should join programs and try to get rid of such habits. They are dangerous to health in so many ways other than causing sleep apnea.
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Having different medical conditions also increases the chances.
If you are a patient with type 2 diabetes or have high blood pressure, you are likely to develop this disorder. Furthermore, women with Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) and other hormonal disorders are also at greater risk. Therefore, try to maintain a healthy diet and include exercises in your daily routine.
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Age and gender-related factors.
The elders are at higher risk of getting such disorders. With age, there are changes in how your brain functions, which affect your health, and you may develop sleep apnea. Moreover, men are seen to have sleep apnea more than the females. Females who have hit menopause or have some hormonal imbalance are at higher risk of getting this disorder.
How can it be treated?
You can use oral appliances that can help keep the pressure away from your windpipe. Reach out to a dentist in Dexter about that. This way, you will be able to breathe better. Other things include bringing changes in your lifestyle, try not to sleep on your back, and you can also use nasal sprays.
Lose weight if you have excess weight and indulge in mindful exercises. You can also integrate the use of nerve stimulators, which can help by stimulating the nerves around your tongue.
