You know that you may have sleep apnea and you also know that if this is the case, the tissues in your throat are collapsing as you sleep. Naturally, the result is that there are multiple times each night (hundreds, actually) when you stop breathing. This, obviously, is not good for your health in any way! With that said, however, you may hear this sleep disorder referred to as OSA or obstructive sleep apnea, which causes you a bit of confusion. Are there other types? Is this issue identical to snoring or not? Allow our Livonia, MI team to clear up the details, so you feel more confident distinguishing between concerns and treating those that affect you!
Is OSA The Same As Snoring?
Not exactly. Remember that OSA stands for obstructive sleep apnea, which means your throat is becoming completely blocked, inhibiting your airways from being able to successfully intake and expel air. In short, you stop breathing. Snoring, on the other hand, is the partial blockage of your airways, when tissues simply come into contact with one another. When they do, they create sound as a result of contact and the vibrations produced. So, if you have OSA, you probably snore, too. If you snore, however, you don’t necessarily have OSA. Learn more by visiting us!
Is OSA The Same As Central Sleep Apnea (CSA)?
Nope! While it’s true that they both lead to the cessation of your breathing while you sleep, these are two different types of sleep apnea. The one that we treat, OSA, is the result of physical concerns with muscles that do not remain active, which we may manipulate in order to keep airways open. With CSA, this is a neurological disorder, in which your brain is failing to send the proper signals for you to continue breathing. CSA is treated not by a dentist but instead by a neurologist.
Is OSA Easily Treatable?
Good new! We can most certainly help you with your obstructive sleep apnea. When you come in for care, remember that we will generally be able to successfully help you breathe throughout the night with the help of an oral appliance. It’s just a mouthguard that helps prevent the obstruction of your air passages by keeping tissues from collapsing. We also offer additional solutions.
Learn About Your Sleep Disorder
Learn more about what’s going on with your nightly rest, when you come in to talk with our team about your potential sleep disorder. Receive advice and a diagnosis, so you may then begin effective treatment! James Stewart, DDS, and our team serve patients from Livonia, MI and the surrounding communities. To schedule a consultation, call our office today at (734) 425-4400.
