Learn All About Sleep Apnea
Living with sleep apnea is not easy. That’s why Dr. Iregui believes individuals showing signs of the sleep disorder should seek professional treatment the moment symptoms begin to manifest. Sleep apnea is a serious sleep disorder that can endanger your health and ability to get the rest your body needs. Learn all about sleep apnea, its causes, symptoms, and how we can treat it at SoundBridge Dental Sleep Therapy.
What is Sleep Apnea?
Sleep apnea is a common sleep disorder that affects a person’s ability to breathe throughout the night. This constant struggle to inhale and exhale comfortably is the result of a completely or partially obstructed airway. When the airway is blocked, airflow to the lungs is cut off, and as a result the brain jolts the person awake to restore proper airflow. Despite these constant arousals from sleep, most sleep apnea sufferers don’t remember waking up throughout the night. Therefore, this constant wake-sleep cycle affects a person’s ability to get sufficient rest and may result in restless nights and daytime fatigue.
Causes & Symptoms
Sleep apnea can be a difficult disorder to diagnose due to its subtle symptoms. In fact, sleep apnea can easily go unnoticed or undiagnosed for years, resulting in delayed treatment. This is due to a lack of awareness and symptoms than can be attributed to other health issues. Common symptoms of sleep apnea include heavy snoring and daytime fatigue, among others. We believe that educating patients about the causes and symptoms of sleep apnea is crucial for helping patients seek adequate and successful treatment. Find out the causes and symptoms of sleep apnea and what we can do to help you gain control of your life.
Sleep Apnea Treatments
Start the journey towards a better night’s sleep with treatment from Dr. Iregui. At SoundBridge Dental Sleep Therapy, our dentist offers a variety of oral appliances to help alleviate your sleep apnea symptoms. We’ll evaluate your diagnosis and tailor treatment according to your specific needs, ensuring the best results and a better night’s sleep. Similar to a mouthguard, an oral appliance is an easy, convenient, and non-invasive way to treat your sleep apnea. Find out how we can customize an oral appliance for you to use every night.
Frequently Asked Questions
What causes sleep apnea?
Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is the result of an obstruction of your airway while you’re asleep. This can happen when the muscles in your throat relax and cause an apnea, a pause in breathing. Your body will wake you up briefly to resume normal breathing, but constant apneas can lead to oxygen deprivation throughout the night.
There are many reasons why you can develop sleep apnea. Being older, male, overweight, and smoking are all factors that can increase your risk of OSA, but it can affect people from all walks of life.
Can sleep apnea be cured?
Sleep apnea can be cured in some cases, but it depends on the cause of your OSA. Losing weight can reduce the strain on your neck during sleep and may significantly reduce your symptoms, sometimes improving them enough to be a cure.
Treatments such as oral appliances aren’t a cure to sleep apnea. But they’ll help improve your health so you won’t be at risk for serious health conditions and they enable you to sleep soundly. This means you’ll have more energy throughout the day and your daily life can be better.
How can I stop sleep apnea?
The best way to stop sleep apnea is to see a health professional for a diagnosis, then seek a treatment option that suits your lifestyle. This condition can be dangerous, so it’s important to get treatment as soon as possible.
The best treatment option for you is the one you can stick to. While CPAP is the most commonly prescribed treatment for OSA, many people stop using it due to discomfort and inconvenience. Oral appliances are an effective alternative to CPAP for many, and they’re much easier to use.
Mandibular advancement devices are small mouthpieces that are custom-created for you, so they’re comfortable. Your device will move your jaw forward slightly, keeping your airway open while you’re asleep. These appliances are portable and silent.
Visit Soundbridge Dental Sleep Therapy
Here at SoundBridge Dental Sleep Therapy, we are dedicated to educating our patients about the importance of sleep apnea awareness. Dr. Iregui believes that knowing the signs of sleep apnea can help identify the presence of an existing sleep disorder and allow you to get the treatment your body needs to remain healthy for years to come.
Our Gig Harbor dentist and staff are here to assist you and answer any questions or concerns you may have about the process. Our goal is to ensure exceptional care that will result in successful treatment you can be confident about. Visit our office to get started!