You’ve probably heard of sleep apnea before and you may even be aware of some of the symptoms of the condition. When it comes to sleep apnea most people are oblivious to just how damaging the condition is. What people don’t know is that when someone is suffering from sleep apnea, they stop breathing hundreds of times a night. Wouldn’t you be worried if someone you knew suddenly stopped breathing randomly? Since this all takes place at night many tend to be completely oblivious of the problem and move on with their days, unaware of the damage being done to their bodies every night. However, the fact is that when sleep apnea is left untreated for a long period of time it wrecks havoc on our internal organs. In fact, it has been shown that sleep apnea may cause or contribute to problems with stroke, heart disease, and ultimately organ failure and death if left undiagnosed and untreated.
Sleep Apnea Types
If you think you may be suffering from sleep apnea you’ll want to consult a sleep dentist as well as a sleep physician who will work together to diagnose you and treat your sleep apnea. When it comes to sleep apnea there are three different types that patients can suffer from. It’s important to know the specific type of sleep apnea you have so that the proper treatment can be administered to you.
The first type and most commonly seen sleep apnea is obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). Obstructive sleep apnea is caused by blockage in the airway that disrupts the natural breathing pattern. This obstruction can be caused by various factors such as a poor sleeping position, genetics, obesity, and enlarged soft tissues such as the tonsils, adenoids, and the tongue. Conditions such as allergies and respiratory infections can also cause temporary obstructive sleep apnea.
The second kind of sleep apnea is central sleep apnea which is caused when the brain does not send and/or receive the proper signals that control breathing. This happens when there is an imbalance in the part of the brain known as the respiratory control centers.
Complex sleep apnea is the last type of sleep apnea a patient can be diagnosed with. This type of sleep apnea is a combination of both obstructive sleep apnea and central sleep apnea. Complex sleep apnea usually occurs with patients who originally had obstructive sleep apnea but their condition is so severe that it causes episodes of central sleep apnea.
Treating Sleep Apnea
Just as there is more than one type of sleep apnea, there is also more than one type of treatment method used to treat the condition. It’s important that you go to a professional such as Dr. Berry to have your sleep apnea in Denver treated effectively. With the proper sleep apnea treatment you’ll finally be able to get good, quality sleep night! Read more about sleep apnea treatment.
Sleep Restfully and Safely Each Night
Don’t allow sleep apnea to put your life at risk each night. Suffering from sleep apnea in Denver is something that you don’t have to deal with any longer! Thanks to advances in treatment methods, there are several different types of sleep apnea treatment that have proven to be effective in both the short and long run. It is best that this treatment is provided to you as part of a cooperative effort between a sleep physician and a sleep dentist. Remember, your life is at risk each night you go to sleep without treating your sleep apnea.
If you’re ready to sleep better at night, stop snoring, and wake up feeling refreshed, come to Dr. Berry’s Denver office for sleep apnea treatment. After proper examination and consideration of your condition, Dr. Berry may be able to provide you with a sleep apnea appliance that will keep you breathing freely at night. Call 303-691-0307 to set up an appointment time to meet with Dr. Berry. For your convenience you may also contact us online.