Using a snore guard for sleep apnea can make a drastic difference in your quality of sleep. However, finding the proper treatment for this condition depends on your thorough understanding of its causes. By looking at what causes sleep apnea, you can find the solution you need to sleep better.
What Causes Sleep Apnea?
There are multiple types of sleep apnea, but today, we will examine obstructive sleep apnea (OSA)—which presents most commonly in patients—and central sleep apnea. Knowing your risk factors and potential causes can guide lifestyle modifications to reduce your risk.
If you suspect you have sleep apnea, we recommend booking a consultation with a specialist for a diagnosis. The sooner you take steps to manage your condition, the sooner you can sleep better.
The Technical Explanation
Both obstructive and central sleep apnea occur when breathing stops during sleep. In the case of obstructive sleep apnea, this happens when the airway muscles relax too much, and the body’s own tissues get in the way of airflow. The most notable sign of OSA is snoring.
In the case of central sleep apnea, the cause sounds a little more nefarious. The brain fails to send signals to the body to draw in breath. Though far less common than OSA, this condition can prove much more challenging to treat.
Dentists tend to provide care only for obstructive sleep apnea. Patients with OSA usually respond quite well to mild interventions like a snore guard, which can help keep their airways open. This simple device moves the jaw forward to keep the air flowing throughout your sleep. Central sleep apnea requires more intensive treatments, like the use of positive airway pressure machines.
Why Do I Have Sleep Apnea?
Obstructive Sleep Apnea
There are many risk factors for obstructive sleep apnea. Luckily, many of them are within the patient’s control.
Obesity
Obesity remains one of the leading causes of sleep apnea. While some people can lose weight with a simple diet and exercise, this can prove a greater challenge for some. Contrary to popular belief, being overweight involves a complex interplay of factors. Diet and exercise do form the groundwork for a healthy weight, but genetic factors, along with stress and hormones, play a notable role.
Enlarged Tonsils
Swollen or large tonsils can physically get in the way of breathing. While tonsils can be removed, you may not need to go to such lengths. Work with a specialist to understand why your tonsils are enlarged and what the best course of treatment is. It could be a transient infection, or it might be a hereditary condition.
Smoking and Alcohol
Smoking wrecks the respiratory system and contributes to airway inflammation, which can cause sleep apnea. Alcohol plays a role in relaxing the muscles and airways, leaving less space for air to pass through. If you have ever wondered why a drunk person snores so loudly, you now have your answer.
Medication and Hormones
Anything that changes the body’s hormones can affect your health. From stress to medication, the body can go through changes that lead to sleep apnea. Work with your doctor to understand how your medications are impacting your body. Depending on your medications and the severity of your sleep apnea, you may need to switch to medications with a lower risk profile for OSA.
Managing Obstructive Sleep Apnea
Treatment for OSA can vary. For some patients, a snore guard may prove sufficient. For others, you may need more involved options, such as a CPAP machine or surgery. The proper treatment will depend on the cause and severity of your OSA as well as which symptoms you are most concerned with addressing.
Central Sleep Apnea
Central sleep apnea (CSA) involves the nervous system itself. When the brain fails to send the right signals, the lungs simply will not pull in air.
Medical Factors
Genetics and medical conditions are the main factors that contribute to CSA. For example, a stroke can damage the part of the brain involved in breathing. For similar reasons, a brain tumor can also cause breathing problems.
Like OSA, CSA risk increases with certain factors. Some things to keep in mind include:
- Quitting smoking and limiting alcohol intake will reduce your risk.
- Knowing your family medical history can help you know your risk.
- Effective management of associated conditions will help your odds of avoiding CSA. For example, if you have hypothyroidism, work with a specialist to mitigate its effects on your body.
Managing CSA will often involve a complex approach designed by a specialist.
A Comprehensive Dental Specialist
Dr. Rhonda Kalasho has served as a top-rated dentist in Beverly Hills for years, providing effective OSA treatment to help her city sleep better.