Signs You Might Need a Sleep Apnea Machine

Restful sleep is a critical part of your overall health, and a need shared by every human being. When sleep apnea interferes with your rest, the effects will begin to show up in your everyday life. 

Some treatments can ease sleep apnea, and many Los Angeles residents turn to Irving S. Lebovics, DDS, and his team for solutions to this common sleep disorder. 

We’re here today to discuss some of the symptoms of sleep apnea and the importance of listening to the messages your body sends. 

Why sleep apnea is such a dangerous condition

There are different types of sleep apnea, but the most common, obstructive sleep apnea, affects an estimated 1 billion people. This type of sleep apnea occurs when your throat muscles relax during sleep, causing pressure on your airway and blocking airflow into your lungs.  

A less common condition is called central sleep apnea. This type develops when your brain cannot communicate properly with the muscles that control breathing during sleep. It’s also possible to develop mixed or complex sleep apnea, which involves a combination of obstructive and central sleep apnea. 

Sleep apnea blocks the air flow many times during sleep. Your body responds by gasping for air, which disrupts your sleep patterns. Very often, sleep apnea causes hundreds or even thousands of disruptions each night. 

Understandably, these cycles prevent you from getting the rest your body needs. Sleep apnea increases your risk of many serious health problems, including heart disease, hypertension (high blood pressure), stroke, and dementia. 

Recognizing the signs of sleep apnea

Understanding the symptoms of sleep apnea empowers you to take action in seeking treatment. If you experience any of the following, consider scheduling a sleep study to determine if you have sleep apnea. 

• Snoring
• Gasping for breath during sleep
• Seeming to stop breathing during sleep
• Feeling overly tired during the day
• Increased irritability
• Dry mouth upon waking
• Night sweats
• New depression or anxiety

Very often, it’s your sleep partner who first sees the signs of sleep apnea. If the person you share a bed or a bedroom with tells you that you are presenting any of these symptoms during sleep, take that information very seriously. There are also sleep apps and wearable devices that can track snoring, sleep duration, and sleep quality. 

There are treatments that can improve sleep apnea

If you’re diagnosed with sleep apnea, you have several treatment options. For people who are overweight or obese, moving closer to a healthy weight is an excellent way to improve sleep apnea. 

Another option is an oral appliance. These devices are worn inside the mouth during sleep. These devices slightly reposition your jaw, making it easier for your airway to stay open while you sleep. 

We custom craft oral appliances to fit the exact contours of your mouth and bite. It can take a while to get used to wearing an oral appliance at night, but within a couple of weeks, it will simply become part of your bedtime routine. 

Another common treatment for sleep apnea is a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) device. This approach uses a machine to create a steady flow of air into your nasal passages during sleep. You wear a mask over your nose that’s connected to tubing. There are many different types of CPAP devices to choose from, and the setup is more comfortable than you might think. 

If you’re interested in exploring any of these treatment paths, we invite you to visit Irving S. Lebovics, DDS, to discuss your options. We offer online booking available any time, and you’re also welcome to call our office to speak with a member of the administrative staff about scheduling.