Sleep Apnea and TMJ Clinic Connecticut are related, and treatment for one often improves symptoms of the other. This is because they share many risk factors, including snoring, excessive drinking and smoking, obesity, and stress.

Obstructive sleep apnea is characterized by breathing pauses in the night, and it can be caused by the collapse of tissues in the throat. It can be a serious health problem.

Symptoms

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is the most common form of sleep apnea. It occurs when the airway closes repeatedly during sleep, causing low oxygen levels. These episodes may last from a few seconds to a minute or more. During these pauses, the body tries to breathe but is blocked by the throat muscles. Breathing usually resumes with a loud gasp.

Symptoms of OSA include snoring, non-restorative sleep, excessive daytime sleepiness, memory problems, irritability and difficulty controlling other health conditions such as high blood pressure and diabetes. Those who suffer from OSA often have poor quality of life due to their condition and may develop heart disease or stroke.

Central sleep apnea is less common but is similar to obstructive sleep apnea. In this disorder, breathing stops and starts regularly during sleep because the brain fails to send correct signals to the throat muscles. Symptoms of this condition include drowsiness during the day, headaches and jaw pain or a locked or clicking sensation in the jaw joint.

Diagnosis

If left untreated, sleep apnea can lead to serious health problems including heart disease and high blood pressure. It can also cause liver problems and affect blood sugar levels, increasing the risk of developing type 2 diabetes.

Obstructive sleep apnea causes breathing to stop repeatedly during sleep, leading to the oxygen level dropping and the breath becoming laboured. It is caused by blockages in the upper airway and can be due to excess weight, enlarged tonsils or adenoids, a thickened neck or a narrow throat.

A clenched jaw or grinding (bruxism) of the teeth is often an indicator of sleep disorders. This can lead to pain in the jaw or face, headaches, earache and even vertigo.

Our dentists at Middlesex Dental Care regularly screen patients for sleep disorders, especially obstructive sleep apnea and snoring. We work closely with sleep specialists and use oral appliances, such as mandibular advancement devices, to treat the condition. Contact us to arrange an appointment for a screening in Glastonbury.

Treatment

Obstructive sleep apnea causes breathing pauses and shallow breaths during the night, and is often accompanied by snoring. These pauses lower the oxygen levels in the blood and cause you to become tired during the day. They also lead to high blood pressure, heart problems and diabetes.

If left untreated, sleep apnea can cause severe and permanent health complications such as depression, memory loss, impaired concentration, and cardiovascular disease. It can also put you at a greater risk of car accidents and make it difficult to enjoy your relationships with others.

The traditional treatment for obstructive sleep apnea is CPAP therapy, which involves sleeping with a mask connected by tubing to a constant airflow machine. However, more than half of CPAP patients don’t adhere to this treatment. A more convenient and effective option is oral appliance therapy. These mouthpieces look like sports mouth guards and are designed to hold the jaw in a forward position during sleep, alleviating snoring and obstructive sleep apnea.

Prevention

Untreated sleep disorders can lead to a number of health problems including excessive daytime fatigue, impaired memory and a higher risk of motor vehicle accidents. These disorders can also increase your risk of high blood pressure, heart attack and diabetes.

Sleep apnea and TMJ can also cause clenching of the jaw (bruxism) which causes facial pain, headaches and ringing in the ears (tinnitus). A regular routine of getting a good night’s sleep and avoiding alcohol and sedatives can help prevent these disorders.

Symptoms of sleep apnea are often ignored, but the condition can lead to serious health issues. Patients suffering from sleep apnea experience repeated pauses in breathing during sleep, which can interfere with the normal sleep cycle and leave them feeling tired and exhausted the next day. This can have a negative impact on relationships and career and may lead to other health problems. Fortunately, our team at Wethersfield Dental Group can offer effective treatment for this condition.