Snoring is one of the most common signs of sleep apnea. Yet, many of those who snore aren’t aware that they are suffering from a serious sleep disorder. Snoring occurs when the airway becomes partially blocked; consequently, when air passes through, tissues in the upper airway vibrate and produce the noise.

Another symptom of OSA is bruxism which is the clenching of the jaw or grinding of the teeth when sleeping. When left untreated, bruxism may result in a force imbalance on the teeth, jaw muscles and jaw bone. Eventually, it may seriously damage the teeth and even cause headache or jaw joint pain.

Other symptoms of OSA are irregular breathing during sleep, frequent nocturnal urination, general fatigue, excessive daytime sleepiness and poor concentration.

The goals of sleep apnea treatments are to restore regular breathing during sleep and relieve associated symptoms such as loud snoring. Treatment options for sleep apnea include oral appliance therapy, CPAP therapy and surgery. In oral appliance therapy, a special oral device is used to support your jaw’s forward position or to adjust the jaw and tongue to keep the airway open and unobstructed. The oral appliance is only worn at night or during sleep. Studies have shown that oral appliance therapy effectively treats sleep apnea and snoring. Moreover, patients find sleep apnea oral appliance more comfortable and convenient than a CPAP mask.The Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) therapy involves the use of a breathing device which prevents airway obstruction by delivering air at a fixed pressure throughout the night or while the patient is sleeping. In this therapy, a face mask is fitted over the nose and/or mouth. The mask is connected by a tube to a constantly running machine which blows air into the throat. The CPAP therapy is often used for moderate to severe cases of sleep apnea.

Surgical procedures used to treat sleep apnea are geared towards widening the breathing passages. These procedures may include stiffening, shrinking or removing excess tissue in the mouth or throat. These types of procedures frequently are not completely successful. Surgery may also involve more radical procedures like resetting the lower jaw or tracheostomy. Basically, the cause of the sleep apnea is an important factor considered in determining which kind of surgical procedure is going to be performed. Additionally, simple lifestyle changes may help in addressing sleep apnea and its symptoms. These changes include losing weight for those who are obese or overweight, avoiding alcohol, quitting smoking and sleeping on one’s side instead of one’s back, among others.