What Is Sleep Apnea?

Sleep apnea is a common sleep disorder characterized by repeated pauses in breathing during sleep. These pauses, called apnea events, can last for a few seconds to minutes and occur multiple times throughout the night.

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is the most prevalent form of sleep apnea.,
OSA occurs when there is a blockage in the airway preventing air from reaching YOUR lungs. The airway obstruction results in disrupted sleep and low oxygen levels in the body.
Symptoms of sleep apnea include loud snoring, excessive daytime sleepiness, morning headaches, and irritability. If left untreated, sleep apnea can have serious health consequences, including increased risks of high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, and diabetes.

Treatment options for sleep apnea may include lifestyle changes, continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy, oral appliances, positional therapy, and in some cases, surgery.

About the author

Howard Hoffman

Hi! I'm Howard J. Hoffman, D.D.S. Actually, my patients and even friends call me Doc H. You may remember hearing me talking about conscious sedation on the radio, which earned me another nickname, "Miami's original sedation dentist." I am a member of the American Academy of Physiological Medicine and Dentistry (AAPMD).

Having practiced dentistry for over 45 years and working in Sleep Apnea since 1997.