Sleep Apnea is a common problem that makes it hard for people to get enough restful sleep. This can make them feel tired throughout the day and may increase their risk of heart problems and other health issues.

Obstructive Sleep Apnea causes the throat to narrow while you are asleep, causing airflow to be blocked. This can happen because of enlarged tonsils, large adenoids or other tissue, or a larger than normal tongue. It’s more common in men and older adults, but it affects people of all ages, races and genders. Being overweight increases your chance of developing this condition.

Sleep Apnea and Dentistry: How Your Dentist Can Help

Signs of obstructive sleep apnea include loud snoring and waking up during the night. You may also have a dry mouth or sore throat, trouble falling back to sleep, and problems paying attention at work or at school.

With obstructive sleep apnea, your breathing stops repeatedly during sleep, often for 10 seconds or more. These pauses in breathing, called apneic events, can occur as many as 30 times an hour. They can cause choking and a feeling of being smothered. They can also cause headaches, fatigue, and irritability.

If you think you have obstructive sleep apnea, talk to your doctor. You will need to have a physical exam and a medical history, and you may be asked to do a home or in-clinic sleep test. These tests, called polysomnography, track your brain activity, oxygen levels, muscle movement, and other factors to help diagnose obstructive sleep apnea and determine its severity.