Sleep Apnea

What Is Sleep Apnea?

Sleep apnea is the sleep disorder experienced most often behind only insomnia. More and more sleep apnea cases are being diagnosed each year, thanks to a better understanding of this sleep disorder. Those who have sleep apnea will actually stop breathing for very short periods during the night. It can prevent you from the deep and restful sleep you need to wake up feeling refreshed. At HomeTown Dental at Sherman we offer treatment options for some types of sleep apnea.

Types Of Sleep Apnea

There are three types of sleep apnea. The most common amongst them is obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). Those who have OSA experience their pause in breathing as a result of the soft tissues in their throat and mouth collapsing down into the airway during sleep. This is the form of sleep apnea treated most often by our dentist.

Central sleep apnea (CSA) is a type of sleep apnea that is not as common. It stems from a neurological concern, in which the brain ceases the signals that remind the body to breathe while sleeping.

Complex sleep apnea is a combination of sleep apnea and central sleep apnea.

Common Symptoms Of Obstructive Sleep Apnea

The symptoms of OSA can vary between individuals, but there are some symptoms that can be commonly recognized. Loud and chronic snoring is perhaps one of the classic symptoms of sleep apnea, followed closely by gasping or wheezing while sleeping. Many who suffer from OSA wake up in the morning with a headache and sore dry throat.

Chronic exhaustion, despite sleeping for a good full 8 hours, along with changes in behavior and mood during the day are other symptoms. Don’t ignore snoring, as this is quite often the first sign that many recognize to be linked with OSA.

Health Concerns Linked To Sleep Apnea

The concerns associated with sleep apnea have been linked to far more than just waking up tired with a headache. Sleep apnea has been closely linked with several serious health concerns. Heart attack, hypertension, and high blood pressure, along with diabetes, depression, and stroke are just some of the serious concerns associated with OSA. Some of these health concerns are potentially life-threatening, which is what makes it so important that you reach out for help with obstructive sleep apnea.

Getting Treatment For Sleep Apnea

If you think that you may have sleep apnea, the first step is to get the right diagnosis. To get a diagnosis, schedule a consultation with our dentist. There are several ways to diagnose OSA, including a series of questions.

CPAP therapy is the method prescribed most often to treat sleep apnea. For some patients, it is a good option to consider. For other patients, however, it can introduce just as many problems as it aims to solve. The machine is bulky, loud, and can induce a sense of claustrophobia in some who struggle with wearing the mask.

Oral appliance therapy is one of the least invasive options for treating obstructive sleep apnea. This custom-fit oral appliance is worn during sleep. It helps to promote an open and unobstructed airway while you are sleeping. This small mouthpiece is worn to sleep every night. It very gentle repositions the jaw, in order to ensure the airway remains unobstructed while you sleep.

To learn more about sleep apnea, and the options you have available to you through HomeTown Dental at Sherman, call (903) 224-7057 to schedule your consultation.