Breathing Should Be Easy
Sleep Apnea can take many forms, let’s uncover the causes and symptoms
Sleep Quality is Quality of Life
Demystifying Sleep Apnea
Sleep Apnea is a serious sleeping disorder that, if left untreated, can be deadly. Sleep Apnea occurs when your airways repeatedly close during sleep. The disruption in your breathing causes your brain to wake you up, to resume breathing. Often, you might not even realize your sleep has been interrupted.
It is estimated that 22 million Americans suffer from sleep apnea.
What Causes Sleep Apnea?
Obstructive sleep apnea occurs when the muscles in the back of the throat relax. This causes the soft palette to collapse, cutting off airways. When the breathing passage narrows or collapses, the blood oxygen level reduces, which can cause many long-term health concerns. To counteract this, the brain wakes up the body, sometimes just slightly, so breathing can resume normally.
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Common Risk Factors
Obesity
Smoking
Excessive Alcohol Consumption
Age
Underlying Medical Conditions
3 Types of Sleep Apnea
1. Obstructive Sleep Apnea
The most common form of sleep apnea. Obstructive Sleep Apnea can be managed with treatment like an oral device and lifestyle changes.
2. Central Sleep Apnea
This occurs when your brain does not send the proper signal to your body to continue breathing.
3. Complex Sleep Apnea Syndrome
This is a combination of Obstructive Sleep Apnea and Central Sleep Apnea.
Dr. Crystal Morris
Founder of True Sleep
In 2017, after giving birth to twins, Dr. Morris and one of her twins were diagnosed with sleep apnea. Drawing on her profound love for learning and continuing education, she immersed herself in learning about Sleep Disordered Breathing.
This journey led Dr. Morris to realize there is a massive need for awareness and treatment of Sleep Apnea. 1 in 5 Americans have undiagnosed Sleep Apnea. The majority of patients who are diagnosed have been given a CPAP for therapy, but are not compliant- and therefore are not treating their Sleep Apnea. She is on a mission to help those suffering from Sleep Apnea discover the life changing benefits of OAT (Oral Appliance Therapy) as an alternative to CPAP therapy.
Her personal experience allows her to connect with her patients, understand them and offer unparalleled compassion. She is passionate about helping others find a solution that can greatly improve their quality of life.
Dr. Morris is an active member of the American Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine (AADSM), the American Academy of Sleep Medicine, the Texas Dental Association and the American Dental Association.