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Causes of Sleep Apnea

You may be suffering from sleep apnea if you get a full night’s sleep but still feel exhausted the next day. Phillips sleep apnea is a sleeping disorder that causes recurrent breathing pauses for several seconds. It deprives the body of oxygen and can cause significant illnesses like recurrent headaches, hypertension, chronic fatigue, and depression.

woman sleeps well despite her Phillips sleep apnea

What Are the Common Causes of Sleep Apnea?

Body Mass Index

Your body mass index and your risk of acquiring sleep apnea are often interrelated. There are several causes for this, but it is believed that the adipose tissue in the upper airway is a primary contributing factor. The additional fat tissues make the airway more collapsible and may lessen the force of the muscles that support the upper airway.

Additionally, a more extensive body mass index makes sleep apnea worse in terms of severity. The number of sleep apnea interruptions per hour and the duration of the interruptions are used to measure severity. Disruptions that occur more frequently and linger longer are associated with a higher heart attack risk.

Sex

Research shows men are more likely to develop sleep apnea than women. Although the reason is not entirely apparent, research points to natural fat distribution as the cause.

Men naturally have larger tongues and more fat around the jaw and neck than women. Obstructive sleep apnea results from the increased fat deposits in these locations compressing the airways.

Age

The upper airway becomes more compressed with age, making it one of the leading causes of sleep apnea. Obstructive sleep apnea develops physiologically when the mouth’s tonsils, tongue, roof, and other tissues surrounding the throat push against each other and block the airway.

The soft palate is under several muscles’ control, preventing it from obstructing your airway. Age has been demonstrated to decrease the control and strength of the soft palate muscles, regardless of gender or body mass index.

partner annoyed of man's Phillips sleep apnea

Get a Better Night’s Sleep by Treating Phillips Sleep Apnea

To discuss your sleep apnea with a dentist, get in touch with Northwoods Dentistry. To make it easier for you to breathe and achieve a more relaxing sleep, we can set a personalized treatment for you. Call us!

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Telescopic Loupes

Magnifying loupes help us make more accurate assessments.

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Digital X-rays

Digital X-rays save time and reduce radiation exposure.

Learn More

Electronic claims

Electronic claims help maximize your insurance benefits.

Learn More

Cone beam CT Scan Technology

CBCT scans help us make more accurate assessments.

Learn More

Laser dentistry

Laser technology allows us to clean much deeper than before.

Learn More

Panoramic X-rays

Panoramic x-rays use a three-dimensional scanning system.

Learn More

Intraoral camera

Intraoral cameras use digital imaging for accuracy.

Learn More

Paperless charting

We save trees and our patients time with paperless charting.

Learn More

Patient education

We will be here guide and inform you during your appointment.

Learn More

Telescopic loupes

Magnifying loupes help us make more accurate assessments.

Learn More

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