Sleep Apnea Specialist

What Causes Sleep Apnea?

Sleep apnea is caused when the muscles of the mouth and throat relax while a person sleeps. This allows the tongue and other soft tissues to fall backward and obstruct the airway. Sleep apnea is also attributed to obesity. Excess weight that is carried around the head, neck, shoulders, and chest can put pressure on the throat as a person sleeps. When the airway is obstructed during sleep apnea, the resulting condition is referred to as obstructive sleep apnea. The constant pressure placed on the airway during sleep results in snoring and forces a person to stop breathing repeatedly throughout the night. This can cause oxygen levels to drop and the brain to be deprived of oxygen.

Does Snoring Always Indicate Sleep Apnea?

Snoring does not always indicate sleep apnea. People may snore mildly as their body shifts position through the night. This is not an indication that the person suffers from sleep apnea. When a person begins to snore deeply to the point where their chest rumbles and they struggle to draw breath into their lungs, this is often the beginning of sleep apnea. As a person continues to snore, the mechanism that forces a person to breathe stops working. When the body realizes no more oxygen is entering the lungs, the person jerks awake. When a person's sleep patterns are disrupted by periods of non-breathing, sleep apnea is present.

How is Sleep Apnea Treated?

Sleep apnea is normally treated with the use of a CPAP machine. CPAP stands for Constant Positive Air Pressure. A CPAP machine forces air into the nose and mouth as a person sleeps, forcing them to continue to breathe. The benefits of a CPAP are far-ranging. It helps the body to maintain constant O2 levels and ensures the brain has the amount of oxygen it needs to function efficiently. Without proper oxygen levels, a person may wake up with a headache and feel extremely fatigued. Using a CPAP machine also helps to keep the airways clear as a person sleeps. This allows a person to sleep through the night without constantly being jerked awake as they begin to breathe.