The Health Consequences of Sleep Apnea

Sleep apnea is a surprisingly common condition. As many as eighteen million Americans have it, but since they’re asleep when the symptoms show themselves, they may not even know it. At Poss Sleep Apnea and TMJ Solutions in Brentwood TN, we offer sophisticated treatment.

There are three types of sleep apnea:

  • Obstructive sleep apnea is when soft tissues at the back of the throat relax and block the airway during sleep.
  • Central sleep apnea is when the brain doesn’t communicate properly with the muscles that control breathing.
  • Complex sleep apnea is a combination of obstructive and central sleep apnea.

Of these three types, obstructive sleep apnea is easily the most common.

People with sleep apnea will stop and restart breathing involuntarily. It happens over and over through the night. Sometimes when the airway opens up or the signal to breathe is received, the person may gasp or snort, or wake up abruptly, fighting for air.

Consequences

What makes it so serious is that when the person stops breathing the brain is deprived of oxygen. If sleep apnea is not treated there can be serious, even life-threatening complications, including:

  • Heart disease
  • High blood pressure
  • Stroke

It can also lead to extreme daytime fatigue, putting the person at risk of an accident, either on the job, while driving, or something else.

The good news is that sleep apnea is a treatable condition. Treatment ranges from changes in lifestyle to devices that improve nightime breathing, to surgery.

The first step in treatment is an accurate diagnosis. We can develop a treatment plan from there. At Poss Sleep Apnea and TMJ Solutions in Brentwood TN, sleep apnea is our specialty. Call us to schedule an appointment today!

615-850-8445

Location (Tap To Open In Google Maps):

1177 Old Hickory Blvd, Suite 203 Brentwood, TN 37027