Sleep apnea is a potentially serious sleep disorder in which breathing repeatedly stops and starts. If you snore loudly and feel tired even after a full night’s sleep, you might have sleep apnea.
The main types of sleep apnea are:
- Obstructive sleep apnea, the more common form that occurs when throat muscles relax
- Central sleep apnea, which occurs when your brain doesn’t send proper signals to the muscles that control breathing
- Complex sleep apnea syndrome, also known as treatment-emergent central sleep apnea, which occurs when someone has both obstructive sleep apnea and central sleep apnea
Symptoms
The signs and symptoms of obstructive and central sleep apneas overlap, sometimes making it difficult to determine which type you have. The most common signs and symptoms of obstructive and central sleep apneas include:
- Loud snoring
- Episodes in which you stop breathing during sleep — which would be reported by another person
- Gasping for air during sleep
- Awakening with a dry mouth
- Morning headache
- Difficulty staying asleep (insomnia)
- Excessive daytime sleepiness (hypersomnia)
- Difficulty paying attention while awake
- Irritability
When to see a doctor
Loud snoring can indicate a potentially serious problem, but not everyone who has sleep apnea snores. Talk to your doctor if you have signs or symptoms of sleep apnea. Ask your doctor about any sleep problem that leaves you fatigued, sleepy and irritable.
Dr. Rachel E. Pickworth is a Diplomate of the American Board of Dental Sleep Medicine and specializes in the treatment of Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA), as well as General Dentistry.
Her mission is to serve your family with the most advanced dental care available today. Advanced Dental of Holmdel, led by Dr. Pickworth, offers comprehensive dental care and Oral Sleep Apnea solutions for the entire family with the very latest modern equipment.
Dr. Pickworth provides high quality and effective treatment with kindness, courtesy, and patience in a friendly environment. Our office offers general dentistry services, preventive dentistry, cosmetic and restorative care, as well as dental sleep medicine.
She is an active member of the American Dental Association, New Jersey Dental Association, Monmouth/Ocean County Dental Society, The American Sleep and Breathing Academy (ASBA), The New Jersey Sleep Society, and The American Board of Dental Sleep Medicine (ABDSM). Dr. Pickworth takes continuing education very seriously as it allows her to stay current with all the latest treatments and technologies.