Snoring is not always a healthy part of a good night’s sleep. Gasping for air, snoring loudly, or irregular breathing are symptoms of sleep apnea. Sleep apnea is a condition where patients breathe shallowly, or have frequent pauses while they breathe, during sleep. If left untreated, sleep apnea can lead to an increased risk of high blood pressure and heart failure.
The most common type of this disorder is obstructive sleep apnea. The airway collapses or becomes blocked, making it difficult for air to pass through and causing you to snore. This may happen without you realizing it and is why many sleep apnea cases go undiagnosed. Children with tonsillitis may experience sleep apnea before their swollen tonsils are removed. While anyone can experience sleep apnea, those who are overweight or diabetic are at an increased risk.
Central sleep apnea occurs when your brain doesn’t send the right signals to your breathing muscles. This is a rare form of sleep apnea and usually doesn’t include snoring. At Sleep Apnea and TMJ Solutions, we create a customized oral device to keep you breathing while you sleep. If you’ve been suffering from a poor night’s sleep, call us at 615-928-2840 to schedule a consultation.