Bloomington patient asks, “What causes sleep apnea?”

Snoring may be the topic of many jokes, and is thought to run in families. While men are more likely to snore, with approximately 40 percent of males considered to be chronic snorers, the condition affects about 24 percent of adult women.

It is estimated that about half of all individuals who habitually snore have a condition called sleep apnea. Beyond the inconvenience or embarrassment of snoring, sleep apnea can have dangerous and harmful implications.

There are three types of sleep apnea and various causes. The most common form is obstructive sleep apnea which results when the muscles in the throat relax. Central sleep apnea occurs when the brain neglects to signal the muscles that manage breathing. Complex or mixed sleep apnea is a combination of the other two forms.

The most common symptoms of sleep apnea are:

• Pronounced, frequent snoring
• Stopping breathing during sleep, as typically witnessed by another
• Insomnia or difficulty remaining asleep through the night
• Daytime drowsiness, which can impair alertness and safety
• Frequent awakening with shortness of breath or gasping
• Dry mouth and sore throat
• Headaches upon or shortly after awakening
• Impaired attention span
• Irritability

Eastland Dental Center serves patients from Bloomington and Normal, IL, and surrounding communities. Dr. Mike Milligan and his daughter, Dr. Marisa Milligan, and our professional team provide a comprehensive network of family, emergency, reconstructive, cosmetic, and orthodontic dentistry, as well as treatment of sleep apnea.

A thorough consultation with our doctors can help to determine the type of sleep apnea and appropriate treatment. Our team uses the innovative diagnostics of MediByte by Braebon Medical Corporation, a leading provider in sleep technology. Approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), MediByte is the world’s smallest level 3 recorder. This device delivers similar data compared to a sleep laboratory; however, a patient is able to sleep in the comfort of their own home instead of an uncomfortable polysomnography laboratory. The MediByte measures physiological signals such as:

• Body position
• Blood oxygen saturation
• Heart rate
• Pulse
• Snore volume
• Air flow pressure

Loss of sleep can affect an individual’s quality of life. For more information about sleep apnea causes and treatment options, contact our professional and friendly team at Eastland Dental Center at (309) 663-4711 today.