Sleep Apnea
THE ENERGY EXHAUSTER
Are you one of the walking dead who no matter how many hours you spend in bed, you still wake up exhausted? Or, are you one who jokes of taking your pillow and smothering your bed partner once the ‘buzz sawing’ starts?
What you may be experiencing is sleep apnea – and it’s not anything to laugh at. And while it may be a common disorder, it’s a dangerous condition that requires serious attention.
In its most prevalent form – obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) – your breathing is disrupted because of airflow blockage. When you sleep, the tongue, soft palate, and lower jaw collapse and narrow your airway. This restriction increases the speed of air flowing through the airway and causes the soft tissues in the mouth and throat to vibrate, much like air whooshing out of a balloon. Hence, the snoring noise. And, worse, you stop breathing repeatedly during sleep. Sometimes hundreds of times. And, even up to a few minutes at a time.
Your brain and body end up not getting enough oxygen. Chronic sleep deprivation affects your performance and mood. And the physical and emotional toll compounds.
How do you know if you have OSA? Some of the most common symptoms include:
loud snoring, gasping, or jerking during sleep
excessive daytime sleepiness
headache, sore throat, confusion upon wakening
difficulty concentrating, irritability, depression
weight gain
high blood pressure, diabetes, liver problems
serious complications such as stroke, heart attack and congestive heart failure
Consult with us. If we suspect that you suffer from sleep apnea, we’ll recommend that you see your physician as soon as possible for a complete diagnosis, and then work closely with your medical team.
One way we can treat and manage mild to moderate OSA and snoring is by fitting you with a customized oral appliance created from precise working models of impressions and bite registrations of your teeth. This mandibular repositioning device works by pulling the lower jaw forward during sleep to keep your airway clear.
We’ll also see you on a regular basis to monitor progress, any problems, and periodically adjust the mouthpiece.
Our goal is to get you sleeping normally, and see you refreshed and energetic.