What is Sleep Apnea?
Obstructive sleep apnea is caused by a collapse of the tissue in the back of your throat collapsing. Your airways aren’t just restricted, they can literally collapse! You stop breathing during sleep, and it can happen anywhere from a few times to over 1,000 times a night. To solve the problem, your body wakes up repeatedly throughout the night to breathe, preventing you from getting good sleep. Not breathing also lowers the oxygen levels in the blood, which creates inflammation issues throughout the body.
Your body requires oxygen to function properly. When the bloodstream is deprived of oxygen, the heart works faster in an attempt to increase the delivery of oxygen to your organs. This causes you to wake up with your heart racing, and can lead to a heart attack. A lack of oxygen or blood in the brain can cause a stroke. In a hospital setting, an oxygen mask is used if your oxygen levels dip below 90% of normal. Dr. Louie is an expert at treating Sleep Apnea in Los Angeles.
What are the Warning Signs?
Most people don’t realize they have sleep apnea, and don’t recognize the signals as a sign of a serious issue.
Common indicators of sleep apnea include:
- Loud Snoring
- “Scallops” along the tongue edge
- Grinding your teeth/worn short front teeth, flat edges (people don’t realeze that worn, flat teeth are due to grinding)
- Tiredness, even after a full night’s sleep
- Falling asleep easily, even while doing tasks such as driving
- Headaches upon waking
- Midnight bathroom excursions
The Weight Connection
Obesity and weight gain can be both a cause and effect of sleep apnea. Increased weight increases the amount of tissue in the neck and tongue, making it more likely that the airway will become compressed. An obstructed airway will interfere with sleep and lead to fatigue. This can not only lead to a less active lifestyle, but often results in patients turning to sugar to feel energized for a short time.
Dr. Louie is a dentist who offers treatment for sleep apnea to patients in Los Angeles and the surrounding communities. If you have any questions about this condition, please don’t hesitate to call us and make an appointment.