Causes and Symptoms of Sleep Apnea Explained by Pembroke Pines, FL, Dentist

Sleep apnea is a condition that causes people to have frequent, long pauses in their breathing while they are sleeping. These interrupted breathing periods can affect the supply of oxygen that your body receives and cause poor quality sleep and potentially serious health issues. While sleep apnea can affect men, women, and children, it is usually more common in adult males. Sleep apnea can lead to serious health issues, and it may be fatal, so it’s essential that residents of Pembroke Pines, FL, are aware of what it is, the cause, and the symptoms.

Causes of Sleep Apnea

There are three types of sleep apnea; obstructive, which is the most common type of sleep apnea and occurs when your airway located at the back of your throat becomes blocked. The blockage is what causes a temporary lapse in your breathing. Central sleep apnea occurs from a problem with a part of the brain that controls the muscles used for respiration, which results in slower and shallower breathing. Complex sleep apnea is when a person has both obstructive and central sleep apnea at the same time. Some of the common causes of sleep apnea may include:

• In the case of obstructive sleep apnea, the positioning and size of your jaw, neck, tonsils, tongue, and tissue near the back of your throat may interfere with airflow. Obesity is the most common cause of obstructive sleep apnea. Alcohol and sedatives can also cause the tissue in your throat to relax, which may lead to an obstructed airway.
• With central sleep apnea, your breathing is affected differently than with obstructive sleep apnea. Instead of breathing being interrupted by an obstruction, the problem is how the brain communicates with your muscles responsible for your breathing. Central sleep apnea is often due to an underlying medical condition, such as stroke or brain infection.

Symptoms of Sleep Apnea

Obstructive, central, and complex sleep apnea all share common symptoms, which typically occur because of the decreased oxygen levels and poor sleep. The symptoms of all three types of sleep apnea include:

• A disruption in breathing
• Excessive daytime fatigue
• Morning headaches
• Difficulty thinking clearly
• Irritability

If you are having sleep apnea symptoms, you must talk with Dr. Milton Ruiz at Pines Dental Associates in Pembroke Pines, FL, as soon as possible. Your doctor may recommend you to participate in an overnight sleep study for them to analyze your sleep and your breathing, which will allow the doctor to have a better idea of the type of sleep apnea you are experiencing.

There are various treatment options available for sleep apnea, and Dr. Milton Ruiz can recommend the best option for you based on the type of sleep apnea you are experiencing. Call Pines Dental Associates today at (954) 715-4660 to meet with Dr. Milton Ruiz for a consultation.

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