Q: What is sleep apnea?
A: Sleep apnea is a condition where breathing repeatedly stops or becomes shallow during sleep. The most common type, obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), happens when the airway collapses or becomes blocked. These pauses disrupt sleep and reduce oxygen levels, affecting health and quality of life.
Q: What are the early signs of sleep apnea in children?
A: Parents should watch for:
- Loud snoring more than 3 nights a week
- Pauses in breathing or gasping during sleep
- Restless sleep (tossing, bedwetting, night sweats)
- Mouth breathing day and night
- Morning headaches, daytime sleepiness, or irritability
- Difficulty focusing at school (sometimes misdiagnosed as ADHD)
- Narrow palate, dental crowding, or orthodontic relapse
Q: What are the early signs of sleep apnea in adults?
A: Adults may notice:
- Loud snoring or choking sounds at night
- Morning tmj headache or sore throat
- Excessive daytime fatigue, even after a “full night’s sleep”
- Mood changes, irritability, or brain fog
- High blood pressure or cardiovascular risk factors
- TMJ head pain or jaw clenching at night
- Dry mouth and bad breath in the morning
Q: Why does sleep apnea matter?
A: Untreated sleep apnea can cause:
- Children: learning delays, poor growth, behavior challenges
- Adults: heart disease, stroke, diabetes, memory loss, reduced quality of life
Early detection and therapy improve outcomes and prevent long-term health risks.
Q: How is sleep apnea evaluated at BreatheWorks?
A: While diagnosis requires a sleep study, BreatheWorks evaluates contributing factors such as:
- Oral rest posture (tongue position, lips, jaw)
- Breathing patterns (mouth vs. nasal)
- Swallow function (looking for tongue thrust)
- Airway efficiency and muscle tone
We collaborate with sleep specialists, ENTs, dentists, orthodontists, and primary care providers to ensure patients get comprehensive care.
Q: How does therapy help with sleep apnea?
A: Myofunctional therapy supports the airway by:
- Strengthening tongue and throat muscles to reduce collapse during sleep
- Restoring nasal breathing for better oxygen exchange
- Correcting oral rest posture (tongue on palate, lips sealed, teeth apart)
- Improving swallowing patterns to reduce tongue thrust
- Supporting orthodontic and ENT interventions for lasting results
Therapy can reduce symptoms in mild to moderate cases and improve outcomes even when CPAP or surgery is used.
Q: Can sleep apnea therapy be done virtually?
A: Yes. BreatheWorks offers telehealth therapy with the same effectiveness as in-person care. Virtual sessions include:
- Evaluation of breathing, posture, and swallowing
- Live exercise coaching and airway drills
- Progress tracking and home program support
This makes therapy accessible to families and adults nationwide.
Q: Where do you offer in-person care?
A: We have clinics in:
- Portland, Oregon
- Eugene, Oregon
- Lake Oswego, Oregon
- Bellevue, Washington
- Amarillo, Texas
We also provide virtual therapy nationwide.
Quick FAQs
Is snoring always a sign of sleep apnea?
Not always. Occasional snoring may be harmless, but habitual snoring is a red flag.
Can children have sleep apnea?
Yes—sleep apnea is underdiagnosed in children and can affect growth, learning, and behavior.
Does sleep apnea only affect overweight adults?
No. Even healthy-weight adults and children can develop sleep apnea due to airway structure, muscle tone, or habits.
Can therapy replace CPAP?
Not always. Therapy may reduce symptoms in mild cases and supports CPAP or surgical outcomes in moderate to severe cases.
Next Steps
If you or your child show signs of sleep apnea treatment, early therapy can improve breathing, sleep quality, and overall health.
- Schedule a sleep & airway evaluation (in-person or virtual)
- Providers: Refer a patient to BreatheWorks
