Sleep Apnea

Impacting the lives of almost 30 million people in the United States, sleep apnea pauses your breathing intermittently throughout the night as you sleep. Rodion Pinkhasov, DMD, provides evidence-based care for sleep apnea to give you a good night’s sleep at Naples Dental and Wellness Center in Naples, Florida. Schedule a sleep apnea treatment consultation online or over the phone today. 

Which type of sleep apnea do I have?

Sleep apnea is a sleep disorder that pauses your breathing as you sleep, which can have detrimental effects on your blood pressure, energy, and overall well-being. There are several types of sleep apnea, including: 

Obstructive sleep apnea

This is one of the most common types of sleep apnea. It happens when the soft tissues around your airway relax and cause a blockage. 

Central sleep apnea

With central sleep apnea, there’s an interference in communication between your brain and the muscles that control your breathing at night. 

Complex sleep apnea syndrome

Complex sleep apnea combines the other two types of sleep apnea. 

Regardless of the kind of sleep apnea you have, the pauses in breathing cause you to wake up to reinitiate breathing, which affects the overall quality of your sleep. 

Which symptoms can come from sleep apnea?

While there are different types of sleep apnea, the symptoms overlap and can affect you in the daytime and at night. You might experience:

• Breathing pauses
• Loud snoring
• Irritability during the day
• Insomnia at night
• Morning dry mouth
• Morning headaches
• High blood pressure

If you sleep near anyone, they may report pauses in breathing or gasping for air. If you have symptoms like these, schedule an appointment with your primary care doctor for an evaluation.

How will I know if I have sleep apnea?

A sleep study with a sleep specialist can confirm whether or not you have sleep apnea. During your sleep study, which is medically known as polysomnography (PSG), the sleep specialist records the biophysiological changes that occur while you sleep. 

The PSG tracks your brain waves, eye movement, heart rate, and muscle activity. You’re diagnosed with sleep apnea if your PSG test notes five or more apnea events (breathing pauses) per hour. Your sleep specialist can also tell you which type of sleep apnea you have. 

How is sleep apnea treated?

Dr. Pinkhasov specializes in sleep apnea treatments from a dental standpoint. If you have obstructive sleep apnea, treatment involves repositioning your jaw to keep your airway open as you sleep. You can do so using a custom sleep apnea oral appliance. Not only can it help you breathe, but it also reduces your snoring. 

Call the office or book an appointment online at Naples Dental and Wellness Center today to learn more about sleep apnea treatments.