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What Is Sleep Apnea?
A Personal Story
How I found out that I have Sleep Apnea
"When I went to my first course on sleep apnea they tested everyone that evening for sleep apnea. The next morning we went over the results and I was shocked to find out that I actually had moderate sleep apnea."
"I knew that I had snored, I know my wife complained about it, but I would have never imagined that I actually had sleep apnea and that I wasn't just snoring but that I was stopping breathing at night. It was at that point that I started wearing an oral device to prevent sleep apnea."
- Dr. Brian Criss
Understanding OSA
Obstructive Sleep Apnea in Rapid City
Do you have difficulties falling asleep? If that's the case, you're not alone. Sleep apnea affects an estimated 22 million Americans, causing a loss of sleep and tiredness. Snoring difficulties and sleep disruptions are more than just a nuisance. Sleep apnea, if left untreated, can lead to heart disease, stroke, and heart attacks. Sleep apnea is a common but serious sleep disorder in which breathing is interrupted while sleeping.
When we sleep, gravity and the relaxation of our muscles cause the tongue and surrounding soft tissues to sink back into the throat, restricting airflow. This causes breathing pauses. Apneas are pauses in breathing. If you think you maybe suffering from sleep apnea make a appointment with one of our amazing specialists at Black Hills Sleep & TMJ Solutions and start your obstructive sleep apnea treatment.
Apnea is a medical term that refers to a lack of breathing. During sleep, a person may experience partial or total pauses in breathing (hypopneas) that last 10 seconds or longer. A reduction in blood oxygen level is frequently associated with these breathing pauses. Please visit our sleep apnea specialist rapid city at the center for sleep apnea and TMJ for a consultation.
The person will ultimately wake up as a result of the effort to breathe and the loss in oxygen saturation, opening the throat and allowing them to breathe again. These arousals are usually fleeting and are forgotten the next day. Longer apneas might induce a terrifying feeling of choking. This sequence can repeat hundreds of times every night, disrupting the body's natural sleep cycle and preventing our bodies from getting the deep, restorative sleep they require. Even if you think you may be suffering from mild obstructive sleep apnea still visit our center for sleep apnea and TMJ for a consultation.
Excessive daytime sleepiness, lack of energy, poor focus, irritability, slower reflexes, and an increased risk of accidents are some of the short-term repercussions of sleep apnea.
A Deeper Dive
8 Facts About Obstructive Sleep Apnea
- Obstructive and central sleep apnea are the two forms of apnea.
- Sleep apnea affects people of all ages, including children.
- With aging, sleep apnea becomes more common.
- Sleep apnea is frequently misdiagnosed or left untreated.
- Sleep apnea, if left untreated, can lead to serious health issues, including death.
- Sleep apnea symptoms differ from person to person.
- Breathing is frequently interrupted or completely stopped.
- Sleep apnea can be lessened by making lifestyle adjustments.
Visit our specialists at Black Hills Sleep & TMJ Solutions and in Rapid City for a consultation.
