If you are waking up gasping for air in the night, or feel perpetually exhausted during the day despite sleeping a full night, you might be experiencing a sleep disorder called sleep apnea. Sleep apnea arises when the airway is obstructed in some way, preventing you from breathing optimally.
Common Signs of Sleep Apnea:
-Snoring loudly
-A lack of energy during the day
-Experiencing mood swings, anxiety, or depression
-Having a dry, sore throat when you wake up
-Chronic morning headaches
Without treatment, you can develop long-term health issues in addition to your day-to-day impaired functioning. If you have obstructive sleep apnea, your tongue is likely rolling back in your throat, or tissues collapse in the airway, preventing you from breathing. Over time, if sleep apnea is not addressed, you can incur serious health issues, such as high blood pressure, cardiovascular disease or problems with your liver.
Seeking a diagnosis should be done by a sleep physician. If your sleep apnea is mild to moderate, you may be able to wear an oral appliance recommended by our dentist. This is especially helpful if you cannot wear a mask with a C-Pap machine. This oral appliance effectively treats obstructive sleep apnea by keeping your tongue from blocking your airway as it holds your jaw in position. You simply wear the appliance over your teeth to keep your airway open in your sleep.
If you are showing the symptoms of sleep apnea or have been diagnosed with sleep apnea and would like to know more about our oral appliance therapy, please give Family Dentistry of Frisco a call today at (469) 362-3150. Dr. Paresh B. Patel and our team in Frisco, Texas can help you improve your oral and overall health with our sleep apnea solution!
