Sleep Apnea Causes
Sherman Oaks & Beverly Hills, CA
Sherman Oaks & Beverly Hills, CA
With Dr. Eddie Sherman, Sherman Oaks TMJ and Sleep Apnea Expert
Sleep apnea is an all too common medical condition that can significantly affect your overall well-being and, if left untreated, can have serious or even fatal consequences. Several factors can contribute to sleep apnea, with some beginning as early as childhood. Dr. Eddie Siman specializes in sleep apnea treatment to provide patients in the Los Angeles and Orange County areas achieve safe, restful sleep. With a thorough assessment, you can learn about the root of your condition and the most effective treatment options available today. Book your consultation to treat and prevent sleep apnea with the guidance of premier Beverly Hills & Sherman Oaks sleep apnea specialist, Dr. Siman.
And How Does it Affect Your Health?
Sleep apnea is characterized by repeated episodes of interrupted breathing during sleep. Each episode can last just a second or as long as a couple of minutes. Patients with severe sleep apnea may experience as many as 30 breathing interruptions within an hour. These interruptions constantly disrupt sleep and leave patients who experience them chronically exhausted and contribute to a host of other problems.
For our patients in Beverly Hills & Sherman Oaks sleep apnea causes are many and varied, and identifying them can help you treat or prevent the condition and ensure that your sleep is optimally restful. Depending on the cause, sleep apnea is classified as “obstructive” or “central.” Obstructive sleep apnea describes episodes caused by decreased airflow through the nose or mouth and is the most common form of sleep apnea. Central sleep apnea results from a problem with the brain’s ability to maintain constant breathing. Some patients experience a combination of OSA and CSA, commonly referred to as complex sleep apnea.
This is the most common cause of snoring and sleep apnea and is not diagnosed by most medical professionals. If your mouth does not have enough space to accommodate your tongue, your tongue may obstruct your airway while you sleep. This condition is often caused by misaligned jaws, TMJ problems, genetics, and inadequate orthodontic treatments.
Excess weight is a prevalent and contributing factor to obstructive sleep apnea. More than half of patients with OSA are overweight or obese. Excess fat surrounding the upper airways reduces the volume of the airway and increases the risk of OSA.
Overbite refers to the way the upper teeth cover the lower teeth. An excessive overbite causes the lower jaw to sit farther back, resulting in the tongue obstructing the airway and causing OSA.
Enlarged tonsils and adenoids may result from allergies or other causes and are the most common causes of OSA in children. Tonsils and adenoids comprise lymphatic tissues, with the tonsils positioned at the back of the throat and adenoids behind the nose. When these tissues become inflamed, swelling may impair airflow through the mouth or nose, leading to OSA.
Tongue tie is a condition where the tongue is attached to the front part of the floor of the mouth, preventing the tongue from resting against the palate. This problem needs to be corrected in children as early as possible to prevent future complications.
A deviated nasal septum can impair airflow through the nose and contribute to OSA. Patients with deviated septums may also experience increased congestion or nosebleeds.
Alcohol, sedatives, tranquilizers, and other substances can also cause sleep apnea by causing the muscles in the throat to become overly relaxed.
Because smoking inflames the upper airways, it can also increase the chance of OSA. Furthermore, smoking has been shown to delay the brain’s response to breathing interruptions, potentially leading to longer, more dangerous episodes.
Genetic factors like a naturally narrow airway, a larger neck circumference, or family history of sleep apnea also put some patients at a higher risk. Medical conditions like asthma, hypertension, Parkinson’s, and hormonal disorders can also play a part in the development of sleep apnea.
Menopause cause progressively declining levels of hormones estrogen and progesterone, both of which aid with sleep. Hormonal changes during menopause can also contribute to sleep apnea by affecting the brain's breathing mechanisms.
Addressing contributing factors can help alleviate or prevent sleep apnea. Dr. Siman offers an advanced solution to impaired airflow for immediate relief of existing OSA symptoms.
In contrast to earlier sleep apnea solutions, Dr. Siman's approach is completely comfortable, allowing patients to breathe easier without sacrificing their quality of life. A C-PAP machine is a standard solution to sleep apnea. However, the C-PAP machine can be loud and uncomfortable, in some cases trading one form of sleep disturbance for another, affecting not only the patient but the patient's bed partners. Dr. Siman fits patients with custom oral and hygienic devices designed to open the airway holistically and they are small enough to fit in your pocket. This can be a great advantage while you travel. While the causes of sleep apnea can be complex, Dr. Eddie Siman offers effective and practical solutions to help you achieve the restful sleep you need to live your happiest, healthiest, longest life.
Better Sleep in Sherman Oaks, CA
If you'd like to learn more about sleep apnea causes Sherman Oaks & Beverly Hills sleep apnea specialist, Dr. Eddie Siman, can answer any questions you have during a consultation. He is an expert in treating sleep apnea and TMJ, delivering a customized solution that allows every patient to realize their most restful night's sleep without interruption or decreased oxygen. During your consultation, Dr. Siman will thoroughly assess your symptoms and their causes to design your personalized device. Contact our office today to discuss your treatment with Dr. Eddie Siman.
Dr. Eddie Siman has over 35 years of experience and is a premier TMJ and Sleep Apnea expert in Los Angeles and Orange County. Many come to Dr. Eddie Siman with severe tinnitus, migraine problems, and sleep apnea with no relief in sight. Little do these patients know that their painful symptoms are tied to the Temporomandibular joint (TMJ). Think outside the box and pay a simple visit to Dr. Siman today so you can finally find the source of all your pain and get rid of it once and for all.
14629 Ventura Blvd, Sherman Oaks, CA 91423
414 N. Camden Drive Suite #1240, Beverly Hills, CA 90403
