Sleep apnoea
Sleep apnoea is a sleep disorder in which breathing stops repeatedly (apnoea) during sleep. These pauses in breathing can last from a few seconds to several minutes and can be repeated many times during the night. Sleep apnea is usually divided into two main types: obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), in which the airway is temporarily blocked by the relaxation of the throat muscles, and central sleep apnea (CSA), in which the brain does not send the correct signals to the breathing muscles.
The most common symptoms of sleep apnea are
- heavy snoring,
- sudden awakening with a feeling of breathlessness,
- excessive daytime sleepiness and
- difficulty concentrating.
If left untreated, sleep apnea can lead to other health problems such as high blood pressure, heart disease, diabetes and strokes.
Sleep apnea and bruxism are often seen together because nighttime teeth grinding may be a reaction to the apnea-related arousals. Treatment of sleep apnea can often also alleviate the symptoms of bruxism, as it reduces the quality of sleep and thus the need for such muscular activities.