According to the National Sleep Foundation, nearly 20 million Americans suffer from some form of sleep apnea, a potentially fatal condition in which your breathing stops briefly and repeatedly during sleep.
If not treated, sleep apnea can lead to daytime drowsiness and severe health problems, including an increased risk for high blood pressure and stroke. Wausau, Wisconsin, dentist Dr. John Krasowski has extensive training and experience in the field of dental sleep medicine, and he can help you—and your partner—restore healthy, uninterrupted nightly sleep if you suffer chronic snoring or other sleep apnea symptoms.
Types of Sleep Apnea
Although there are different forms of sleep apnea, each is marked by an apnea, which is a pause in breathing that lasts for at least 10 seconds and may occur more than 20 times per hour.
Sleep apnea is generally categorized as one of three types:
- Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA): The most common form of sleep apnea, OSA is caused by a physical airway blockage such as the collapse of soft-tissue muscles in the back of the throat
- Central sleep apnea (CSA): A less common type of sleep apnea in which the brain fails to properly regulate breathing during sleep
- Mixed sleep apnea: A combination of both an airway obstruction and CSA
Risk Factors for Sleep Apnea
Although sleep apnea is more common among adult males than other groups, anyone—regardless of age or gender—can develop sleep apnea.
Other factors associated with an increased risk for sleep apnea include:
- Nasal obstructions such as a deviated septum
- Obesity
- High blood pressure
- Family history of sleep apnea
- Regular smoking, alcohol consumption or use of sedatives
Sleep Apnea Treatment
Fortunately, there are a number of sleep apnea and snoring treatment options available.
Treatment for sleep apnea may include the use of a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) device or a custom-made oral appliance, such as the LVI SomnoMed Lingual-less oral sleep appliance. Your thorough sleep apnea assessment with Dr. Krasowksi will determine the best sleep apnea solution for you. If necessary, we can refer you to a sleep center for further evaluation.
Learn more about Symptoms of Sleep Apnea.
If you live in the Wausau, Stevens Point or Rhinelander, Wisconsin, areas and would like to learn more about sleep apnea diagnosis and treatment, please contact Krasowski Dental to schedule your personal consultation with Dr. John Krasowski.
