What Causes Sleep Apnea?

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Obstructive sleep apnea, or OSA, impacts millions of Americans. The disorder causes people to stop breathing for brief moments during the day, preventing them from obtaining the deep, uninterrupted rest needed to stay alert and active during the day. But what causes sleep apnea and how do we treat the disorder?

Try Our Quiz on Sleep Apnea

  1. True or False: Several factors can impact your risk.
  2. True or False: Chronic snoring could be a warning sign.
  3. True or False: You can make changes to your sleeping habits to reduce your risk.
  4. True or False: We can treat the issue with an oral appliance.

Answer Key

  1. True. Age (55 and older), gender (usually male, but females can develop the disorder too), weight, neck circumference, and congestion issues can all impact your risk of developing sleep apnea. Excessive alcohol consumption, sleeping on your back, and large meals or vigorous exercise before bed can also have a negative impact on your sleep.
  2. True. Patients often suffer from chronic snoring, episodes of waking suddenly gasping for air or choking, dry mouth in the morning, headaches, daytime exhaustion, and moodiness. If one of more of these symptoms sounds familiar, then you may need to consider seeing us for a visit.
  3. True. Start sleeping on your side instead of your back, keep your bedroom dark, cool, and free of screens (TV, computers, and smartphones), and maintain a regular sleep schedule, which means going to bed and waking up at the same times daily. We also advise patients to avoid large meals or exercise in the two hours before bed, and to avoid consuming alcohol right before bed.
  4. True. An oral appliance is worn as you sleep and acts like a nightguard. The device moves the jaw forward, which prevents apneic episodes by stopping the collapse of soft tissue during sleep.

Talk To Woodland Hills Dental Arts About Treating Sleep Apnea

If you have trouble sleeping, we can often help with comfortable and minimally-invasive solutions to OSA. You can also count on us for expert cosmetic and restorative care, which can help you show off a terrific smile! Schedule a consultation by calling Woodland Hills Dental Arts in Woodland Hills, CA, today at (818) 347-5124. We also proudly work with patients from Thousand Oaks, Westlake, Encino, Sherman Oaks, and all other surrounding areas.