Do you frequently snore? Does your significant other often complain of difficulty sleeping? In many cases, snoring is more than just irritating; it can be a warning sign of a serious disorder known as obstructive sleep apnea, or OSA. Understanding the warning signs of this disorder is crucial to enjoying sound sleep and good overall health.
Frequently Asked Questions About Snoring and Sleep Apnea
Question: Why do we snore?
Answer: Sometimes the soft tissues in our mouths and the back of our throats partially block airflow. As air is forced through when we breathe, this vibrates the soft tissues. The result is loud snoring. However, this can also be an early warning sign of a serious disorder.
Question: What is sleep apnea?
Answer: OSA occurs when the airflow becomes completely blocked and the patient stops breathing for brief periods of time. Deprived of oxygen, the brain wakes the patient up to start breathing. For some, this means being woke up hundreds of times each night, even if they don’t remember these occurrences.
Question: What are the symptoms of OSA?
Answer: Patients with sleep apnea may experience a number of symptoms, including chronic snoring, bouts of waking up gasping or choking, and daytime drowsiness. Without treatment, OSA increases the risk of high blood pressure, which can eventually lead to stroke or heart attack. If you recognize one or more of these symptoms, please schedule a consultation right away.
Question: How can I stop snoring?
Answer: You can take steps yourself, such as avoiding alcohol or caffeine before bed and losing weight. For severe cases, we can provide a custom-made oral appliance, which repositions the jaw to prevent the collapse of soft tissue and offer easy breathing. If you have any questions about our approach to diagnosing and treating snoring and sleep apnea, please contact our office today.
About Your Astoria Dentist
Our Astoria, NY dentist office accepts most major insurance plans. To find out if we accept yours, or to schedule an appointment with Dr. Jeffrey Leibowitz, contact us at (718) 728-8328. We welcome patients living in and around Queens, Astoria, NYC, upstate New York, and New Jersey.
