A good night’s rest is foundational to being able to operate at your best. But when setting a strong sleep schedule doesn’t seem to make a difference in how you feel in themorning, there might be something else that needs to be addressed: sleep apnea.
Sleep apnea is a medical condition characterized by pauses and interruptions in breathing while asleep. There are two main types of sleep apnea: obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and central sleep apnea. The more common of the two types is OSA. OSA occurs when the airway is blocked, usually by the tissues of the throat when the muscles relax or when the tongue rolls back in the throat. Those who suffer from OSA may stop breathing anywhere from once or twice an hour to hundreds of times during the night, often for a minute or longer.
As OSA is a sleep breathing disorder, it can sometimes be difficult to diagnose. Many people with this condition are unaware that there is anything wrong, and the problem is often first noticed by their loved ones who see them sleeping and realize that something unusual is occurring. Some common signs of sleep apnea include:
- Nightly or near nightly snoring
- Choking, gasping or snorting sounds while asleep
- Sensations of gasping or choking during sleep
- Hypersomnia (excessive daytime drowsiness)
- Insomnia (an inability to sleep)
- Long pauses in breathing
- Waking abruptly during the night with shortness of breath
- Headaches upon waking
- A dry mouth or sore throat upon waking
- Poor, fitful or restless sleep
- Frequent visits to the bathroom during the night
- Mood changes, including irritability
- Depression or other behavioral disorders
- Feeling out of breath upon waking
- Difficulty concentrating
- Memory impairment
If you believe that you have sleep apnea, we strongly encourage you to schedule an appointment with your physician or with a sleep specialist. Dr. Ally, our experienced dentist, will work with your referring physician and sleep physician to ensure that you receive the care you need. Please use our Sleep Questionnaires to help determine if you should seek treatment.
To learn more about sleep apnea and treatments for this condition, please use the links below:
You deserve a good night’s rest. We invite you to call Advanced Sleep & TMJ Center of New Jersey at 877-652-7632 for more information and to schedule a consultation with Dr. Ally.
We are proud to provide sleep apnea treatments in Monmouth, Ocean and Middlesex Counties, including Little Silver, Allenhurst, Asbury Park, Brick, Colts Neck, Eatontown, Fair Haven, Freehold, Holmdel, Howell, Lincroft, Long Branch, Manalapan Township, Marlborough Township, Middletown, Neptune Township, Oakhurst, Ocean Township, Oceanport, Old Bridge, Red Bank, Rumson, Shrewsbury and Tinton Falls, New Jersey.
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