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Sleep Apnea Therapy – Landrum, SC
Address the Origin of Your Sleep Issues
Do you ever wake up tired even though you went to bed early and gave yourself plenty of time before the alarm went off? There didn’t seem to be an obvious reason, so you just figure it will get better with time. But then it happens again, and so on. When you see a pattern developing, and even healthy changes to your diet are having no effect, it’s time to seek professional help.
Although it’s an underdiagnosed condition that’s difficult to identify on your own, approximately 22 million Americans have sleep apnea. If you may be one of them, the team here at Parkside Dental can help with sleep apnea treatment and minimize the risk of other potential issues developing down the line. Give us a call to learn more and begin your path back to a restful night’s sleep!
Why Choose Parkside Dental For Sleep Apnea Therapy?
- Multiple Oral Appliances Available
- Viable Alternative to CPAP Machine
- Flexible Financing from CareCredit
What Is Sleep Apnea?
Sleep apnea is a sleep disorder that can potentially be serious since your breathing repeatedly stops and starts. If you snore loudly and feel tired even after a full night’s sleep, you should consider sleep apnea a prime suspect. The main types of sleep apnea are:
- Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is the most common form that occurs when throat muscles relax and block airflow into the lungs.
- Central sleep apnea (CSA) occurs when the brain doesn’t send proper signals to the muscles that control breathing.
- Mixed sleep apnea (MSA) is a combination of central and obstructive factors occurring in the same episode of sleep apnea. Episodes of MSA most often begin as OSA and are treated as such.
Symptoms of sleep apnea during sleep are usually first noticed by a sleep partner or housemate. The most common symptoms are slowed reaction times, mood swings or irritability, daytime fatigue, chronic snoring, restless sleep, and waking up to urinate in the middle of the night.
The Dangers of Sleep Apnea
Unfortunately, the lack of productive sleep is far from your only concern with sleep apnea. It directly translates into daytime fatigue which can involve irritability, depression, and more. Your work can become more stressful and take longer to complete. Driving or operating heavy machinery can put you and others in harm’s way.
High blood pressure is a potential problem since it strains your cardiovascular system. People with sleep apnea are more likely to get type 2 diabetes. Your liver functionality can start to become a concern. You also face an elevated risk of heart disease, heart failure, stroke, metabolic syndrome, adult asthma, and more.
Sleep Apnea Treatment Options
The good news is that hope is not lost for those suffering from sleep apnea. There are available treatment options, and it’s a matter of finding the one that works best for you. CPAP therapy involves keeping a patient’s airway continuously open and stimulating breathing by pumping air with a machine through a facemask. It’s not without disadvantages, however, such as dealing with a cumbersome device, cost, noise, inconsistent relief, and more.
There are sleep studies that can be conducted overnight to provide the most accurate diagnosis for OSA. If you’ve already confirmed you have the disorder, you might be best served seeking oral appliance therapy that your dentist can provide. Customized to fit your mouth for maximum comfort, this simpler snoring treatment option is easy to bring along when you travel.
All you need to do is wear the appliance when you go to bed; it will expand your airway to increase your oxygen flow, and you’ll finally discover the restful recovery you’ve been missing each morning! You can schedule a consultation with Dr. Moneyhun about oral appliance therapy today!
Obstructive Sleep Apnea FAQs
Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a serious issue, so of course it is natural if you want to learn as much about it as you can. Being well-informed can help you make smart decisions about how to care for the quality of your sleep. To assist you, we have put together the following list of OSA FAQs, along with succinct answers. If you do not see your specific question addressed, reach out to our team directly. We look forward to speaking with you.
Does Everyone Who Snores Have Sleep Apnea?
Snoring and sleep apnea are two different things. Snoring is the sound caused by the vibration of tissues in the throat as air passes by them. OSA occurs when those same tissues partially or fully block the flow of air. Therefore, while frequent snoring is often a symptom of sleep apnea, it is not a surefire sign that the disorder is present.
In some cases, snoring can be a harmless annoyance. This is often true among people who only snore once in a while, such as when they are suffering from a cold or nasal allergies.
If you suspect that your snoring is related to OSA, you need to undergo a sleep test to receive an official diagnosis.
Can I Diagnose Sleep Apnea on My Own?
Even if you are exhibiting symptoms of OSA, that does not automatically mean that you have it. Even smart devices, like a wearable fitness tracker, can provide insight into the quality of your sleep but cannot diagnosis OSA. You need a professional sleep test, either one performed at home or in a laboratory, to find out whether you have OSA. A qualified physician should review the results of your test in order to provide you with accurate information about what happens while you are asleep.
Will My Sleep Apnea Go Away If I Lose Weight?
Sleep apnea is quite common in larger individuals. That is because they tend to have excess weight around the neck and abdomen, which can place pressure on the airway and increase the risk of breathing problems during sleep.
Many people have found that after losing just 5 – 10% of their body weight, the quality of their sleep significantly improves. Some individuals even free themselves from OSA altogether by losing weight.
Of course, weight loss does not guarantee that your OSA will go away. The issue may not be related to your weight at all. Rather, it may be due to other problems, such as a narrow airway or deviated septum.
How Soon After Starting Sleep Apnea Treatment Will I Notice Improvement?
After you start treatment, you should notice an improvement in the quality of your sleep right away. However, it may take a few days or longer to adapt to your oral appliance or CPAP. Be patient with yourself as you strive to get used to your device.
After you have been in treatment for a while, your care provider may urge you to undergo a sleep test so they can determine exactly how well your appliance is working.
