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Sleep Apnea in Markham, ON

For some people, snoring may be caused by a more concerning disorder called sleep apnea. This condition causes brief pauses in your breathing throughout your sleep, resulting in ongoing disruptions and even waking up gasping for air.

Your sleeping partner may be constantly disrupted, as well. If you think you may have sleep apnea in Unionville, ON, or you have already been diagnosed, our dental team will likely recommend a CPAP machine, which is covered mainly by OHIP if you have a prescription.

The most common symptoms

Our patients with sleep apnea in Unionville, ON, may not always realize there is anything wrong with their sleeping habits. Here are some of the most common signs to which you should be attuned:

Waking up with a dry mouth or headache
Irritability or excessive sleepiness during the day
Difficulty focusing when awake
Difficulty trying to fall asleep
Pauses in breathing while asleep
Gasping for air while asleep
Loud snoring

Types of sleep apnea

Obstructive sleep apnea occurs when the muscles that support your soft palate, uvula, tonsils, tongue, and sidewalls of your throat relax, and your airway is blocked as you inhale. This prevents you from getting sufficient air and may lower your blood oxygen level. As a result, they are waking you up briefly up to 30 times a night.

Central sleep apnea is less common but mainly affects older men, people with congestive heart failure, people who take opioid pain medication, or suffered a stroke. It occurs when your brain is not correctly signalling to the muscles that help you breathe. This might result in waking you up feeling short of breath, or it may be challenging to fall and stay sleeping.

Risk factors

Even though adults are more prone to having sleep apnea, children may also be at risk for the disorder. The most common risk factors include:

Overweight: Fat around your upper airway can obstruct breathing
Thick neck: A larger neck circumference might indicate a narrower airway
Narrow airway: This might be hereditary, or caused by enlarged tonsils or adenoids
Biologically male: Men are much more likely to have sleep apnea (women have an increased risk, however, if they are overweight or menopausal)
Older age: Middle-aged to older adults have a much greater risk than younger ones
Family history: Sleep apnea, or the other risk factors, may be hereditary
Alcohol, sedatives or tranquillizers: These substances can obstruct your airway as they relax your throat muscles
Smoking: Smoking can significantly increase inflammation and fluid retention in your upper airway
Nasal congestion: Allergies or other impairments to your nasal breathing
Medical conditions: Congestive heart failure, high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, Parkinson’s disease, polycystic ovary syndrome, hormonal disorders, prior stroke, asthma, etc.

Speak to us today

If you notice any of the above symptoms or display any of the aforementioned risk factors, consult with our Markham dentist at 7 Days Dental about sleep apnea in Unionville, ON. Feel free to call or email our office to schedule an appointment as soon as possible. We will be happy to discuss possible solutions with you, such as a CPAP machine.