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Sleep Apnea Treatment

Learn about sleep apnea, and your treatment options…

What is sleep apnea?

Sleep apnea is a serious and common health condition in which a patient stops breathing for brief periods while they are asleep. These apneic episodes can occur anywhere between five and 100 times every hour, and they cause a variety of symptoms. Furthermore, sleep apnea is associated with significant health problems.

Oral appliance therapy is more comfortable and convenient than CPAP. Continue reading to learn more about some causes and concerns surrounding sleep apnea, and your treatment options!

Don’t put it off…

Schedule a consultation with Dr. George to see how your sleep apnea can be addressed so that you can get back to a good night’s sleep.

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Symptoms & Risk factors of sleep apnea

Symptoms

The first step in getting effective treatment for sleep apnea is to know that you have the condition. Patients should monitor for the following signs of sleep apnea:

  •   Loud snoring
  •   Audible pauses in breathing during sleep
  •   Frequent headaches or sore throats upon waking
  •   Mood changes: Irritability, depression
  •   Low energy levels/daytime fatigue
  •   Attention difficulties

Risk factors

Certain people may face greater risks for sleep apnea and should be even more conscientious about monitoring for signs of this condition. Risk factors for sleep apnea include:

  •   Obesity
  •   Male gender (although post-menopausal women also have an increased risk)
  •   Large neck circumference
  •   Narrow airway
  •   Chronic sinus issues

Consequences

Many patients may put off seeking sleep apnea treatment, thinking that the condition is merely a nuisance that causes them to feel fatigued and a little cranky. However, sleep apnea is associated with potential risks to your physical health, as well. It appears to correlate with issues like:

  •   Heart disease
  •   Stroke
  •   Obesity
  •   Depression
  •   Metabolic disorders

As such, patients who have a confirmed diagnosis of obstructive sleep apnea should seek treatment as soon as possible.

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Why does sleep apnea result in daytime drowsiness?

Causes

Sleep apnea occurs when a series of events repeatedly happen throughout the night, causing you to stop breathing briefly. They include:

  •   Excess soft tissue at the back of the throat goes slack and partially obstructs the airway opening
  •   Eventually, the airway becomes blocked enough to disrupt breathing
  •   Your brain alerts you to the lack of oxygen and rouses you briefly to restore normal breathing

In the most severe cases, this pattern can occur upwards of 100 times an hour. No wonder people with sleep apnea wake up exhausted in the morning!

Consequences of disrupted sleep

These apneic episodes deprive your body of adequate oxygen intake, which ultimately has a cascade of effects. Not only do sleep apnea patients still feel tired upon waking but they also:

  •   Face a higher risk of health problems like obesity and metabolic disorders, even sudden unexplained death
  •   Are more likely to feel depressed, anxious, or irritable
  •   May have difficulty performing professional tasks or driving safely

Avoiding these consequences and maintaining normal energy levels make for compelling motivation for patients to see what treatment options are available.

The good news is... It's treatable!

Although the risks associated with sleep apnea are quite concerning, the condition is highly treatable. A variety of sleep apnea treatment options are available; you should research all of the possibilities, including oral appliance therapy, to determine which one is the best fit for you...

How Oral Appliance Therapy Can Restore Restful Sleep

Several different interventions can be used to treat sleep apnea, including oral appliance therapy. This innovative approach uses a device that looks and feels similar to an athletic mouthguard to prevent the airway obstructions that cause the patient to stop breathing.

Essentially, an oral appliance for sleep apnea will keep your jaw or tongue forward while you sleep, which in turn keeps any excess soft tissue at the back of your throat away from your airway opening. Under the right circumstances, oral appliance therapy can be highly effective.

Schedule a consultation with Dr. George to see how your sleep apnea can be addressed so that you can get back to a good night’s sleep.

Ready to get started? We can help... Schedule a consultation today!

Schedule a consultation

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