Could I Be Suffering from Sleep Apnea?
If you often feel exhausted and struggle to keep up with your friends and family, you might be dealing with sleep apnea. Visit our dental office to discuss your symptoms; a simple, non-invasive treatment could be the key to feeling like yourself again. To schedule an appointment, call us at +15629253735. We will gladly discuss your treatment options and provide recommendations on how to proceed.
What is sleep apnea?
Sleep apnea is a condition that prevents your body from getting the oxygen it needs to function properly. Without sufficient oxygen, you'll feel tired and sluggish. Since sleep apnea occurs at night, many people are unaware they have it.
How Does Sleep Apnea Impact a Person’s Health?
Untreated sleep apnea can lead to various health problems, including stroke, high blood pressure, headaches, diabetes, depression, mood swings, heart failure, worsening ADHD, and a general decline in overall well-being.
How Does Sleep Apnea Negatively Impact a Person’s Life?
Without enough oxygen, your body struggles to function properly. Beyond the health effects, this can mean not having the energy to stay awake past dinner, enjoy your child's birthday parties, go for a bike ride, or even drive safely. When you're tired, even basic and mundane activities can put you to sleep, making it dangerous to get behind the wheel and potentially affecting your work performance. Essentially, your quality of life can be significantly diminished, making it critical to visit a Bellflower dentist to treat your sleep apnea.
How Does Sleep Apnea Differ from Other Sleep Disorders?
Sleep apnea is a physical condition that disrupts clear breathing while sleeping, leading to inadequate oxygen intake for optimal bodily function. Other sleep disorders include:
- Insomnia: Either temporary or long-term, insomnia is often triggered by external stressors and can be managed with oral medication.
- Narcolepsy: A severe and lifelong condition causing sudden, uncontrollable sleepiness, disrupting daily life activities.
- Restless Leg Syndrome (RLS): Common among pregnant women, RLS involves constant leg movement, causing discomfort like tingling or itching sensations.
- Jet Lag: Beyond being associated with long-distance travel, jet lag is a genuine sleep disorder, disrupting sleep patterns and potentially impacting health for days or weeks.
- Snoring: Loud snoring can disturb not only the individual but also their surroundings, often indicating underlying sleep apnea issues.
What Are the Primary Categories of Sleep Apnea?
Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA): With OSA, weak muscles in the lower jawbone fail to support it during sleep, causing it to fall backward along with the tongue. This obstructs the airway, leading to snoring or choking sounds during sleep as the body attempts to clear the airway. Excess fatty tissue in the throat can also contribute to OSA, making obesity a risk factor.
Central Sleep Apnea: In this type, the brain fails to send signals to the breathing muscles, resulting in disrupted breathing patterns during sleep. Unlike OSA, central sleep apnea requires treatment from a specialist rather than a dentist.
Treatment for Sleep Apnea
At Somerset Family Dentistry we prioritize non-invasive treatment options for our patients in Bellflower, CA. That's why we frequently recommend the use of a removable oral appliance as a first-line treatment. These appliances are discreet, noise-free, and offer convenience. In some cases, patients may also benefit from using a CPAP machine for additional oxygen support. However, CPAP machines can be noisy and uncomfortable. As a third option for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), surgical intervention may be considered to remove excess fatty tissue blocking the airway.
How Oral Appliances Function
Using an oral appliance is remarkably straightforward. Customized to fit your mouth precisely, it offers a snug and secure fit. Simply slide it into place before bedtime, where it remains securely in your mouth. By holding the lower jaw in a forward position, the appliance prevents the tongue from falling backward, thereby keeping the airway clear. While some individuals find sufficient relief with just the oral appliance, those with severe sleep apnea may require additional support from a CPAP machine. However, many patients report increased comfort when using both devices simultaneously compared to using the CPAP alone.
