Quiz: What is Sleep Apnea?

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Do you often feel exhausted during the day, even though you feel like you had plenty of sleep? Well, you may not have rested as well as you think. Over ten million people report similar daytime drowsiness as a result of obstructive sleep apnea, or OSA. What is sleep apnea? By understanding this common and serious health issue, you can recognize the warning signs and seek treatment if necessary.

Sleep Apnea Quiz

  1. True or False: Sleep apnea causes patients to stop breathing during sleep.
  2. True or False: Snoring may be a common warning sign.
  3. True or False: Without treatment, OSA can cause serious medical complications.
  4. True or False: We can treat the issue with an oral appliance or possible a CPAP machine.

Answer Key

  1. True. OSA occurs when the soft tissues in the back of the throat become overly relaxed, collapsing and blocking airflow. When the patient stops breathing, the brain registers the lack of oxygen and wakes him/her up to start breathing. While the patient may not remember, this cycle can happen hundreds of times a night, preventing him/her form receiving the sleep necessary to function during the day.
  2. True. If the constant waking only happens at night, how does the patient know he/she needs treatment? Common symptoms to watch for include drowsiness, depression, irritability, snoring, and waking up at night gasping for air or choking.
  3. True. Over time, sleep apnea may cause an increase in blood pressure, which can boost the risk of the patient having a stroke or heart attack.
  4. True. Worn at night, the appliance moves the jaw forward to keep tissue from blocking the airways. The CPAP machine involves wearing a mask over the nose and moth, which forces air through so the patient can breathe.

ABOUT YOUR LIVONIA MI DENTIST:

James R. Stewart, Jr, DDS, PC and our compassionate staff proudly serve patients of all ages from Livonia, Farmington Hills, Plymouth, Northville, Dearborn Heights, Garden City, and all surrounding communities. If you think you or a loved one is dealing with a sleep disorder, call our office today at (734) 425-4400, to schedule an appointment. At Dental sleep Medicine of Michigan, we are committed to forming trusting relationships with our patients so we can work together to achieve sound treatment and a future full of restful nights.