Loud snoring is often treated as a joke, but it may be a sign of Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA), a common but serious disorder in which breathing repeatedly stops and starts as you sleep.

When your airway is blocked your breathing can be paused HUNDREDS of times during the night. That's right -- HUNDREDS! It jolts you awake and can take a serious toll on your emotional and physical health.

While you may not be able to easily identify if you have OSA, a sleep partner is probably quite aware that you are snoring, choking and even gasping for air throughout the night. If you don't have a sleep partner, you might want to record yourself while you are sleeping or check for these signs:

• Morning headaches
• Restless sleep
• Sleepiness or lack of energy during day time
• Waking up with dry mouth or sore throat
• Irritability
• Abnormal Mood changes
• Insomnia
• Decreased interest in sex
• Impotence

Your treatment path depends on your overall health and the severity of your sleep apnea. In cases where an underlying medical condition might be to blame, treating that condition is often the first step.

Some men and women respond well to a therapy called continuous positive airway pressure, or CPAP. This involves wearing a mask that directs a steady stream of air into your airway while you sleep.

When CPAP is not an option, or you prefer a different approach, Pittsburgh Dental Sleep Medicine offers custom-made oral appliances that are worn in your mouth while you sleep. They help keep your airway open, are noninvasive and nonintrusive, are portable, and tend to be more comfortable than other breathing devices.a

If you’re suffering from sleep apnea, schedule an appointment with Pittsburgh Dental Sleep Medicine online or by calling (724)935-6670 or contacting us on our website.

Article Resource: https://www.helpguide.org/articles/sleep/sleep-apnea.htm