Obstructive Sleep Apnea is a sleep disorder characterized by abnormal pauses in breathing, or periods of very low breathing during sleep. These pauses, called apnea, last from a few seconds to minutes and can occur anywhere from 5 to 30 times a minute.
Daytime sleepiness is one of the major symptoms of sleep apnea due to the poor sleep quality. Other symptoms include loud and chronic snoring, choking during sleep, and long pauses in breathing during the night.
Obstructive Sleep Apnea is caused by a blocked or narrowed airway during sleep. This can be due to several factors including relaxed throat muscles, your tongue or tonsils, the shape of your head or neck, or being overweight.
If you are experiencing the symptoms listed above and believe you have sleep apnea, you can participate in a sleep study to determine if you are truly experiencing sleep apnea.
There are many effective treatments for snoring. A widely accepted treatment for sleep apnea is dental appliance therapy. Dr. Maurice Salama custom fits you for an oral device right in our office that is designed to keep your airway open and help prevent apneas. This treatment does not involve drugs or surgery and helps thousands of people all over the world to enjoy healthier sleep and a healthier life. Many benefit quickly-often during the first night of use.
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