
Types of Sleep Apnea
Call Today To Improve Your Health

Discover the Different Types of Sleep Apnea in Oxnard
At Anacapa Dental Art Institute, if you show symptoms of a sleep apnea disorder, we'll do an examination and have you do an at-home sleep test. A sleep specialist reviews your assessment and confirms your diagnosis, so we can move forward with treatment. While the majority of our patients have obstructive sleep apnea, there are actually several types of sleep apnea in Oxnard:
- Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) - This is the most common type of sleep apnea. When the soft tissues in your throat relax too much during the night, it creates an obstruction. This causes you to wake up gasping for air, chronic snoring, and other symptoms.
- Central Sleep Apnea (CSA) - With this condition, you experience an interruption in your breathing similar to OSA. However, it isn't due to the soft tissues in your throat. Instead, your brain stops telling your body to continue breathing.
- Complex Sleep Apnea - This condition is a blend of both obstructive and central sleep apnea.
If you are experiencing warning signs of sleep apnea, contact us today for an appointment and find out how you can finally get a full night's sleep.
Lifestyle Factors Can Contribute to Your Sleep Apnea
There are a variety of lifestyle factors that contribute to your sleep apnea. For example, OSA may be a result of age, weight gain, or smoking habits. You may also have an increased risk for this condition if you are pregnant or tend to sleep on your back.
As for central sleep apnea, you may experience this condition as a result of certain drugs, sleeping at high altitudes, or congestive heart failure. If your sleep test determines you have this disorder, or a more complex sleep apnea concern, we may refer you to a sleep specialist who will help with your condition.
When you are a patient of Anacapa Dental Art Institute, you'll discover we don't just treat your smile, we treat the whole person. Our custom oral appliance can alleviate sleep apnea comfortably. However, you may also want to consider making lifestyle changes for further relief. During your treatment process, we'll discuss other actions you can take to control this condition for the long term.
Call us today for an appointment so we can discuss the types of sleep apnea in Oxnard with you. You can also schedule online if you prefer. We have Saturday visits available upon request.
Common Questions About the Types of Sleep Apnea
What is the most common type of sleep apnea?
Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is the most common type we see in patients. This is when your airways are blocked while you sleep as a result of the soft tissues in the back of your throat becoming too relaxed. Once your brain detects you aren't getting the oxygen you need, it triggers your body to wake up. This causes that gasping sensation, one of the symptoms of the disorder.
Why do I have sleep apnea?
There can be a variety of factors that contribute to your sleep apnea condition. OSA is often a result of weight gain, allergies, large tonsils, or change in hormone levels. Smoking, or drug and alcohol use can also cause this problem. Central sleep apnea (CSA) is another type of the disorder. It can be a result of a stroke, heart failure, or kidney failure. It can also be caused by sleeping at high elevations or as a side effect of medications.
Is sleep apnea common?
Yes. This disruptive, dangerous, and potentially deadly condition impacts millions of Americans each year. That's why our dental office practices sleep dentistry. We focus on keeping your airways open while you sleep to stop your snoring and prevent your airways from closing. This device will fit over your teeth and gently pushes your lower jaw forward to help prevent sleep apnea.