Obstructive Sleep Apnea: Health Effects and Diagnosis Methods

Did you notice how loudly you were snoring last night? You even seemed to wake up gasping for air. Why do you look so tired even after sleeping for 12 hours?

If these inquiries are directed at you, they may be symptoms of obstructive sleep apnea, a sleep disorder.

"Apnea" means not breathing, and it's the core of the problem with obstructive sleep apnea. This condition happens when your muscles relax while you're asleep, making the soft tissue in your throat collapse and block your breathing. This leads to struggles with breathing, loud snoring, and, over all, messed-up sleep.

In serious cases, it can cause you to stop breathing briefly many times every hour, like 15 to 30 times. Many patients have been able to get a good night's sleep by seeking sleep apnea treatment in San Antonio from Mysa Dental. Which has also helped them with making their oral health better.

The Impact of Obstructive Sleep Apnea on Your Health

Sleep apnea can seriously impact your health, leading to problems like heart issues and even dental troubles like cavities.

The experts at the San Antonio sleep apnea center point out that when you breathe through your mouth during sleep, it can make your mouth dry, which isn't good for your teeth and gums. It might even lead to gum disease over time.

So, getting diagnosed early is required to make sure you can manage it effectively.

Effective Diagnosis Methods for Obstructive Sleep Apnea

When it comes to diagnosing obstructive sleep apnea, there are two common methods.

• Polysomnography (PSG)

Think of this as a sleep study; it's one of the most accurate ways to diagnose sleep apnea. During this test, various devices are used to monitor your brain waves, eye movement, muscle activity, heart rate, rhythm, and oxygen levels. You might need to spend a night in a hospital while these gadgets watch over your sleep.

The data they collect helps calculate the apnea-hypopnea index (AHI). If your score is 5 or higher, it means you have a sleep disorder. But if it's above 30, that's a sign of a severe case of sleep apnea.

• EMG (Electromyography)

EMG involves placing three leads on your chin—one in the center and the other two below your jawline. They also attach extra electrodes to the muscles in your legs, specifically the anterior tibialis muscles.

All these leads serve one purpose: to monitor your muscle movements while you're asleep. These EMG electrodes can pick up the electrical signals your muscles make when they move. This helps identify any muscle relaxation problems that might be causing your sleep apnea.

In Conclusion

If you're dealing with sleep apnea, there's hope! Treatment options, such as continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machines, are available at Mysa Dental, best dental clinic in San Antonio. Our expert doctors will guide you through the process and provide effective solutions to manage your sleep apnea. Don't let sleep apnea disrupt your health and well-being; reach out for help and enjoy peaceful sleep again.