Sleep Apnea & Snoring Appliances Edmonton
Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a sleep disorder that occurs when the muscles in the back of the throat relax excessively during sleep, causing the airway to become partially or completely blocked. These repeated interruptions in breathing can last from a few seconds to over a minute and may occur many times throughout the night.
Without proper treatment, sleep apnea can affect your overall health, contributing to poor sleep quality, daytime fatigue, high blood pressure, heart disease, and other serious medical conditions.
Common Symptoms of Obstructive Sleep Apnea
- Loud or chronic snoring
- Gasping or choking during sleep
- Frequent awakenings or restless sleep
- Excessive daytime sleepiness and fatigue
- Observed pauses in breathing during sleep
Risk Factors for Obstructive Sleep Apnea
Sleep apnea can affect adults and children, although certain factors increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
- Excess body weight or obesity
- A larger neck circumference that narrows the airway
- Naturally narrow airways or enlarged tonsils and adenoids
- Increasing age
- Family history of sleep apnea
- Male sex, although the risk also increases in women after menopause and with excess weight
If you or a loved one experiences loud snoring, daytime exhaustion, poor concentration, memory problems, irritability, or interrupted sleep, an evaluation for obstructive sleep apnea may be recommended.
For many patients with mild to moderate obstructive sleep apnea, a custom oral appliance offers an effective, comfortable treatment option. These appliances are professionally fitted by a dentist and are worn while sleeping to help keep the airway open and reduce breathing interruptions.
