What is sleep apnea?
Are you snoring too much at night? Obstructive sleep apnea could be the cause. This disorder is characterized by disruptions in breathing lasting 10 seconds or more, leading to lack of sleep and other serious health complications.
Sleep apnea episodes typically occur when your upper airway becomes blocked repeatedly during sleep, which severely limits or completely prevents airflow. It can seriously impact energy, mental performance, and even long term overall health. In some cases, if left untreated, sleep apnea may prove fatal.
What causes sleep apnea?
There are a variety of potential causes of sleep apnea. If you have a narrow air passageway or large tonsils to begin with, you may have an increased chance of developing sleep apnea.
Underlying medical conditions, such as neuromuscular disorders, or heart or kidney failure, you also may have a higher risk. Other common risk factors include:
- Older age
- Family history
- Unhealthy lifestyle habits (obesity, poor diet, smoking tobacco)
- Race or ethnicity (most common in African-Americans and Hispanics)
If you suspect you have sleep apnea, it’s best to come in and see one of the team members at the Dental Studios right away.
How do I know if I have sleep apnea?
The most common signs and symptoms of sleep apnea include:
- Frequent loud snoring
- Choking or gasping for air during sleep
- Recurring daytime sleepiness and fatigue
- Decreased mental focus or energy during the day
- Dry mouth
- Headaches when waking
- Waking up often to urinate throughout the night
Since signs and symptoms of sleep apnea often occur while you sleep, it’s often beneficial to have your sleeping partner help detect troubling signs or to reaffirm anything you may notice.
How is sleep apnea treated?
The experienced team at the Dental Studios can help diagnose and treat your sleep apnea and alleviate snoring with snore therapy. One of the best ways to treat sleep apnea is with a custom-made intra-oral appliance that can return you to a quiet, refreshing sleep.
After assessing your sleep apnea with an in-office sleep apnea screening, your dentist can determine the extent of your problem and its root cause. The oral appliance, which is made in an outside lab, is custom-fit for your mouth. You wear it while you sleep so that your jaw is held in optimal position, allowing your airway to remain clear at night.
By wearing your specially made intra-oral appliance, you can get back to sleeping soundly at night.
To schedule a sleep apnea screening at the Dental Studios, call the office or use the online booking tool today.
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