What Is Sleep Apnea?
Sleep apnea is when your breathing stops for a significant period of time while you sleep. When this happens, your brain must awaken enough to resume breathing. You might not awaken enough to realize you woke up, but if you do realize you woke up, you might think it’s for another reason. Maybe you had a nightmare, or maybe you have to urinate. Most people with the condition don’t realize what’s going on–perhaps 80% or more of cases remain undiagnosed, according to some estimates.
The most common type of sleep apnea is obstructive sleep apnea. In this condition, your airway collapses while you’re asleep, cutting off your air supply. Essentially, your own throat is strangling you.
Signs and Symptoms of Sleep Apnea
So if most sleep apnea is undiagnosed, how do you know you have it? Here are some of the common signs and symptoms to look out for:
- Snoring
- Waking up unrested
- Daytime sleepiness
- Morning headaches
- Low energy
- Loss of interest in activities you used to enjoy
- Sexual dysfunction
- Cognitive difficulties
- Memory problems
- Depression, irritability, or moodiness
- High blood pressure, especially if it doesn’t respond to treatment
- Loss of interest in activities you used to enjoy
- Sexual dysfunction
- Cognitive difficulties
- Memory problems
- High blood pressure, especially if it doesn’t respond to treatment
- Morning headaches
- Low energy
- Depression, irritability, or moodiness
- Snoring
- Waking up unrested
- Daytime sleepiness
If you notice these problems, you should talk to your doctor about sleep apnea and how you can get a sleep test, which is the only way to diagnose the condition.
Dangers of Sleep Apnea
If you suspect you might have sleep apnea, it’s important to get tested so you can get your sleep apnea diagnosed and treated. That’s because sleep apnea can increase your risk of death in the near future by as much as six times.
Increased risk of injury, disability, and death comes from numerous serious dangers, including:
- Heart disease
- Stroke
- Heart attack
- Heart failure
- Kidney disease
- Liver damage
- Obesity
- Low energy
- Car accidents
- Workplace accidents
- Dementia
- Depression
- Suicide
- Cancer
- Workplace accidents
- Heart disease
- Stroke
- Heart attack
- Heart failure
- Kidney disease
- Liver damage
- Obesity
- Low energy
- Car accidents
- Dementia
- Depression
- Suicide
- Cancer
If you notice these problems, you should talk to your doctor about sleep apnea and how you can get a sleep test, which is the only way to diagnose the condition.
Sleep Apnea Treatment
There are multiple sleep apnea treatment options. The most common sleep apnea treatment is continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP). CPAP uses a pump that forces air through a hose into your nose and/or mouth. This air pressure pushes your airway open and ensures you have air in your lungs, even if you’re not breathing. CPAP is almost 100% effective when used according to recommendations.
However, about 50% of people prescribed CPAP can’t adapt to it. That’s because it can be uncomfortable and inconvenient. Setting up the CPAP machine can disrupt your nightly routine. The sound of the pump might disturb your or your partner’s sleep. You might get irritation of your nose, mouth, and throat. You might get skin irritation. You might wake up gassy and bloated. Most people who use CPAP experience some kind of complication, and not all can overcome it to treat their sleep apnea.
At South Bay Prosthodontics, we offer an alternative to CPAP for people with obstructive sleep apnea. Dental sleep apnea treatment uses an oral appliance similar to a teeth whitening tray or mouthguard. This appliance repositions your jaw during sleep. Since your jaw is the main bony support for your airway, it can hold your airway open so it doesn’t collapse, and you don’t get strangled in your sleep. For people with mild to moderate sleep apnea, oral appliance therapy can be just as effective as CPAP.
Get Dental Sleep Apnea Treatment in Torrance, CA
If you have sleep apnea, but can’t adapt to or don’t want to try CPAP, we can help. We offer a CPAP alternative that can help you get restful, restorative sleep. There is no pump, no hose, and no mask–just a comfortable oral appliance similar to a mouthguard you wear during sleep.
To learn whether you’re a candidate for this comfortable and effective CPAP alternative, please call (310) 378-9261 or use our online form today to request an appointment at our Torrance, CA, dental office.
