Types of Sleep Apnea
- Central sleep apnea (CSA), describes breathing which stops because the muscles involved don't receive the proper signal from the brain.
- The most common form of sleep apnea is called obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), and occurs due to a physical blockage, usually the collapsing of the soft tissue in the back of the throat.
- Mixed/complex sleep apnea is a combination of CSA and OSA.
- Loud snorers may have a serious case of blocked air passages, known as obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS). In these cases, the blockage of air is so great that no air can get through, causing repeated awakenings throughout the night. Obstructive sleep apnea can contribute or lead to many other conditions, such as high blood pressure, stroke, heart attack and depression, so it is important to be diagnosed by a medical professional if you experience any sleep-related symptoms.
Signs of Sleep Apnea
- Insomnia
- Loud snoring
- Choking sounds during sleep
- Headaches upon waking
- Sleeping / drowsiness during the day
Risk Factors Associated with Sleep Apnea
- More common in males
- More common in adults over 40
- Family history
- Obesity
- Smoking / Drinking / Medication
- High blood pressure
- Heart disease
- Neuromuscular disorders
Dangers of Untreated Sleep Apnea
- Fatigue can cause problems at work or school
- Fatigue inhibits your ability to operate a car
- Causes general grumpiness
- Can lead to high blood pressure
- Can lead to stroke
- Can cause heart failure
- Can lead to complications with sedation for medical procedures
Treatments for Sleep Apnea
Treatments for sleep apnea vary widely depending on the severity and type of sleep apnea a person suffers from. Suggested treatments can include:
- Losing weight
- Quitting smoking / drinking
- Eating healthy and controlling blood pressure
- Sleeping on your side
- Oral devices
- Breathing machines
- Surgery in extreme cases
TAP
We are proud to provide their patients who suffer from snoring or sleep apnea with TAP®, the Thornton Adjustable Positioner! This adjustable appliance is custom-designed to prevent snoring and sleep apnea by holding the lower jaw forward. This keeps the tongue and soft palate in the throat from blocking the airway.
Definition of Snoring
Snoring affects millions of people of all ages, both male and female. It is caused by the vibrations of your soft and/or hard tissue palates; these vibrations occur because of increasingly narrow airways or because the tongue falls to the back of the throat, closing the airway. When air passes through these airways, a “flapping” sound occurs because the tissue is soft in nature.
Definition of Sleep Apnea
Loud snorers may have a more serious case of blocked air passages, known as obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS). In these cases, the blockage of air is so great that no air can get through, causing repeated awakenings throughout the night. Obstructive sleep apnea can contribute or lead to many other conditions, such as high blood pressure, stroke, heart attack and depression, so it is important to be diagnosed by a medical professional if you experience any sleep-related symptoms.
The Solution: TAP®
To end snoring and disruptive sleep apnea without surgery or medications, the easy solution is TAP®! Designed according to the principles of CPR, the TAP® will hold your airway open so air can pass through the throat, making breathing much easier. Among people who use TAP®, there is a 96 percent success rate! These users are getting better sleep which ultimately improves their quality of life.
For more information on TAP®, please visit the TAP® website.