Sleep is a lot more important than most people think. But it isn’t always the easiest to get a full night of uninterrupted sleep—many people deal with conditions like sleep apnea. If you find yourself constantly waking up feeling restless and tired, you might be dealing with sleep apnea. So, how can you tell if you have sleep apnea—especially if you don’t think you snore?
Even though snoring is a common symptom of sleep apnea, it isn’t a guaranteed indicator. The loud and chronic snoring often associated with sleep apnea is caused by vibrations in the throat as air passes through, but it’s not the only symptom of this condition.
What Is Sleep Apnea?
Sleep apnea is a common sleep disorder where breathing repeatedly stops and starts during sleep. These pauses, known as apneas, can last from a few seconds to a few minutes. They can occur 30 or more times in an hour and affect people of any age.
There are two main types of sleep apnea:
- Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA): This is the most common form, where the throat muscles relax excessively during sleep, blocking the airway.
- Central sleep apnea (CSA): Here, the brain fails to send proper signals to the muscles that control breathing.
You can have one of these conditions or both simultaneously. Either way, sleep apnea decreases the quality of your sleep and can even cause worse medical conditions. So why does this develop?
What Causes Obstructive Sleep Apnea?
Obstructive sleep apnea is caused by relaxed muscles at the back of your throat. These muscles support the structures of your soft palate, uvula, tonsils, and tongue. When they relax, they close off your airway while you breathe in to cause a temporary lapse in breathing.
This can be caused by:
- Obesity
- Age
- Excessive alcohol use
- Tobacco
- Swelling in the surrounding area
- Fluid disruption due to organ damage
- Jaw issues
Fortunately, many cases of obstructive sleep apnea can be improved with professional help, lifestyle adjustments, and more.
What Causes Central Sleep Apnea?
Central sleep apnea is a little more complicated. This condition involves the central nervous system—the brain fails to send the right signals to the muscles controlling your breathing.
This can be caused by:
- Heart damage
- Stroke
- Neurological diseases such as Parkinson’s disease
- Use of certain medications that suppress breathing
Typically, treatment for central sleep apnea requires a personalized approach, such as specific medication or therapy for the underlying condition.
How to Tell If You Have Sleep Apnea
One of the most common symptoms linked to sleep apnea is simple—snoring loudly throughout the night. This doesn’t always appear, but it does affect roughly 80% of all patients. However, it can also cause:
- Waking up with a dry mouth or sore throat
- Frequent awakenings or insomnia during the night
- Feeling excessively sleepy or having less energy during the day
- Experiencing headaches, particularly in the morning
- Difficulty concentrating or mood changes, such as irritability or depression
If these sound familiar, you’re likely dealing with a sleep disorder—and it’s time to visit a professional.
How to Treat Sleep Apnea
Fortunately, several treatments for sleep apnea exist. These cater to different severities—and types—of sleep apnea. At Bloom Orthodontics, our treatments include:
- Orthodontic Intervention
- Myofunctional Therapy
When combined with lifestyle modifications like regular exercise and a proper diet, these can make a significant difference. So how do they work?
Orthodontic Intervention
First, we’ll examine your mouth, jaw, and teeth to determine the cause of your sleep apnea. We’ll also take several scans and images of your airway and may perform a sleep study to monitor your sleeping habits in many situations. For patients dealing with snoring due to soft tissue relaxation, we may recommend Solea Snore Treatment, a non-invasive laser therapy that tightens soft tissues in the back of the mouth to reduce snoring.
Then, we can make adjustments—like improving your airway and teeth—to help you sleep comfortably.
Myofunctional Therapy
Myofunctional therapy involves exercises that strengthen the tongue and throat muscles. This non-invasive treatment can improve airway function and reduce the severity of sleep apnea.
Regular practice of these exercises can help maintain muscle tone, preventing airway collapse during sleep. This is recommended alongside other treatments, like using a CPAP machine (Continuous Positive Airway Pressure) to keep your airway open while you sleep.
Lifestyle Modifications
Lifestyle changes play a crucial role in managing sleep apnea. Weight loss can significantly reduce symptoms in overweight individuals—even just a few pounds can reduce the pressure on the airway.
It also helps to:
- Avoid alcohol and sedatives before bed, as they can relax throat muscles too much
- Sleep on your side instead of your back to reduce airway blockage
- Set a consistent sleep schedule to regulate your body’s clock
- Elevate the head of your bed to help keep your airway open
- Engage in regular physical activity to maintain a healthy weight
- Avoid tobacco use
These steps can add up to reduce your symptoms and give you a higher chance of a good night’s sleep.
Let Our Team Help
Sleep apnea is a serious condition, but it doesn’t always involve loud snoring. Instead, look for signs that you’re not sleeping well—and if you notice anything unusual, come see us at Bloom Orthodontics. Our team is here to help, so book an appointment with us today and take the first step towards restful sleep. You deserve it!