Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) occurs when a physical obstruction blocks your airway completely during sleep causing breathing to stop. This is caused by over-relaxed oral tissue. An episode can last for a couple of seconds to a couple of minutes until your brain is triggered by a lack of oxygen to wake up and clear the airway. These episodes can take place in your unconscious sleep state, you might not be aware how often it is occurring throughout the night. Patients who snore as a symptom of OSA may also have trouble getting typical levels of oxygen during sleep and stop breathing throughout the night without realizing it is happening.

Symptoms of Obstructive Sleep Apnea

Loud snoring is a main symptom that is associated with OSA that prompts many patients to pursue treatment. However, there are numerous other symptoms that can be apparent during the daytime hours that are linked to OSA. These symptoms include the following:

• Daytime fatigue
• Poor concentration or memory
• Mood swings
• Sleepiness during daily activities
• Morning headaches and migraines
• Snoring with pauses or loud snoring
• Increased hypertension (High blood pressure)
• Decreased sex drive
• Weight gain
• Waking during sleep due to gasping or choking
• Dry mouth
• Sore throat
• Increased risk of cardiovascular disease (Heart attack/ Congestive heart failure)
• Frequent nighttime urination

Health complications if Obstructive Sleep Apnea is left untreated

Leaving sleep apnea untreated will not only affect your mental health but also your physical health. Rapid drops in oxygen during sleep places the cardiovascular system under immense pressure damaging your heart over time. This sleep disorder can lead to high blood pressure and a greater risk of recurring heart attacks. Seeking treatment for sleep apnea is a step towards full body health.

Do I have Obstructive Sleep Apnea?

The first step is to take our sleep apnea questionnaire to determine the probability of a sleep apnea condition. Click here to take our Sleep Apnea Questionnaire.

The next step is a sleep consultation with Dr. Paul Mabe to accurately diagnosis your condition. At Sleep Well Naples we will provide you with an at home single use sleep test that will measure the severity of your condition. Click here to learn more about Sleep Testing!

Finally, your sleep test results are shared during a telemedicine appointment. Dr. Paul Mabe will analyze your results to customize the best fitting oral aligner for your sleep condition. A restful night’s sleep is just a phone call away!