Questions And Answers: What’s Sleep Apnea All About?

You may hear lots of things from lots of people. You may also read lots of details online if you know that it’s sleep apnea likely making it difficult for you to sleep. However, the more you hear and read, the more confused you may end up becoming in regard to what’s really happening and what this sleep disorder is all about. Let our Livonia, MI team solve some of this for you, so you realize the root cause of your issue and what makes it possible for sleep apnea treatment to work so well!

Questions and Answers

Question: I keep hearing some people say that sleep apnea has something to do with my brain and others saying it’s just all about the muscles in my throat. Is this neurological or something else?

Answer: There are two types of sleep apnea. The one that we treat is called obstructive sleep apnea and has to do with throat muscles that over-relax, collapse, and interrupt your breathing. It’s the most frequent type of sleep apnea. Central sleep apnea is a neurological issue. See us to learn more about what is affecting your sleep and whether we can provide you with sleep apnea treatment.

Question: I have heard that alcohol is bad for me to drink and that sleeping pills aren’t a good idea either because they make sleep apnea worse. I don’t understand. Don’t relaxing things make it easier for me to sleep?

Answer: Alcohol or sleep aids may make you drowsy but they also make your muscles more relaxed. This, in turn, encourages over-relaxation of throat muscles, which makes sleep apnea happen. This will go against the efforts of your sleep apnea treatment!

Question: Can you help me figure out why sleep apnea is happening to me, so I can do everything I can to make it stop? Or, is this one of those disorders that doesn’t necessarily come with answers?

Answer: While we cannot necessarily pin down why it is affecting you but not someone else, we can identify contributing factors. For instance, it may be hereditary, carrying excess weight may contribute, sleeping on your back, consuming relaxants, and more will play into the issue. Speak with us soon to learn more!

Seek Information And Sleep Apnea Treatment From Us

Allow our team to both inform you and treat you, so you can say goodbye to frustrating sleep apnea symptoms. James Stewart, DDS, and our team serve patients from Livonia, MI, as well as Farmington Hills, Farmington, Plymouth, Northville, Novi, Dearborn Heights, Dearborn, Garden City, Westland, Redford, and the surrounding communities. To schedule a consultation, call our office today at (734) 425-4400.