Sleep Apnea Therapy – Toledo, OH
Get the Good Night of Sleep You Deserve
Are you constantly tired throughout the day because you lack quality sleep during the night? Do you frequently wake up with a headache or sore throat? Has your partner mentioned that you snore often? If those apply to you, there is a good chance that you are affected by sleep apnea. This disorder can impact your daily productivity and increase your risk of other health issues. Fortunately, at Dental Group West, we offer sleep apnea therapy to help you get the good night of sleep you deserve. Give us a call to get started.
What is Sleep Apnea?
There are several different types of sleep apnea, with the most common one being called obstructive sleep apnea. This occurs when the muscles in your throat or the back of your mouth relax and collapse, causing a blockage in your airway. This can result in loud snoring and the repetitive stoppage of breathing during sleep. Many people who have this condition are unaware of it, but they wake up in the morning feeling unrested. Here are some common symptoms:
- Daytime sleepiness
- Loud, chronic snoring
- Waking up with a dry or sore throat
- Morning headaches
- Waking up gasping for air or feeling out of breath
- Mood changes or irritability
- Memory loss
- Difficulty concentrating
The Dangers of Sleep Apnea
Sleep apnea does more than just deprive your body of rest. People who lack quality sleep struggle with focus, memory, depression, and reaction time. In addition, untreated sleep apnea increases the risk of developing heart disease and experiencing a cardiovascular event, like a heart attack. Pregnant women with untreated sleep apnea are much more likely to have a pre-term birth due to the increase in blood pressure. Ultimately, it is worth getting this condition checked out.
Sleep Apnea Treatment Options
A popular option in the past for treating sleep apnea is using a CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure) machine. This works by pushing air through a person’s airway using a nasal mask. While they are a viable solution for many people, they are a hassle to move around, can be uncomfortable to wear, and make noise. That’s why at Dental Group West, we offer treatment using customized oral appliances. This type of device is worn at night and works by shifting your jaw into a position that keeps your airway open and unblocked while you sleep. This option is smaller and easier to use, and it is convenient to bring with you when you travel.
Obstructive Sleep Apnea FAQs
The team at Dental Group West is eager to help you find long-lasting relief from obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). Before you book a consultation, however, you might want to know more about your condition and the treatment journey in front of you. To assist you, we have put together the following list of sleep apnea FAQs, along with easily digestible answers. If your specific questions are not here, reach out to us directly. We look forward to speaking with you!
Why Should I See a Dentist for Sleep Apnea Treatment?
Often, people rely on medical doctors for sleep apnea treatment. There is nothing wrong with that, but dentists are often even more qualified to address OSA. That is because dentists have an intimate knowledge of the anatomy of the head and neck. They can offer oral appliance therapy, which is more convenient and comfortable than CPAP therapy.
Plus, since you see your dentist every six months anyway, you have a built-in opportunity to express your concerns and learn about the diagnosis and treatment process.
Does Everyone Who Snores Have Sleep Apnea?
No. In some cases, snoring is nothing more than an occasional annoyance. It may happen if you go to bed when you are extra-tired, drink alcohol before bedtime, or have a degree of nasal congestion. Such mild, infrequent snoring is usually nothing to worry about.
However, if your snoring is loud and frequent, you might have OSA. You should request a sleep test to find out for sure whether you have a sleep disorder.
It is also worth noting that not all people with OSA snore. If you have other symptoms of the condition, it is worth your time to speak to a professional.
Can I Diagnose Sleep Apnea on My Own?
No, OSA is not self-diagnosable. Even if you have many of its symptoms and your smart watch has informed you that the quality of your sleep is poor, you cannot use that to confirm that you have OSA.
If you suspect that you have OSA, you should undergo a sleep study. A qualified medical professional can then assess the quality of your rest.
Will My Sleep Apnea Go Away If I Lose Weight?
Some cases of sleep apnea occur because excess fatty tissue around the airway is causing it to collapse during sleep. Therefore, many patients find that when they lose weight, the severity of their OSA is greatly reduced. Their symptoms might even disappear completely.
However, keep in mind that even some very slim people have OSA. If you lose weight, you may need to undergo a second sleep test to understand how your diet and exercise plan has impacted your condition.