Sleep Apnea Treatment – Arcadia
Discover a Better Way to Sleep
Do you snore or wake up in the middle of the night choking and gasping for air? Are you tired, forgetful, or irritable during the day? Do you fall asleep at odd times, like during movies or while working at your computer? You may suffer from sleep apnea, a common sleep disorder that affects approximately 30 million Americans. Fortunately, Dr. Canzoneri is happy to offer oral appliance therapy to help lessen the effects of sleep apnea. Continue reading to learn more about sleep apnea and how treatment works.
What Is Sleep Apnea?
There are a few different types of sleep apnea, the most common being “obstructive sleep apnea.” With obstructive sleep apnea, the muscles in your throat and the back of your mouth relax, completely blocking airflow, and forcing the body to wake (fully or partially) to resume breathing. This cycle can happen hundreds of times a night, which means the patient does not achieve deep REM sleep, which is necessary for mental and physical well-being. This can lead to a variety of noticeable symptoms. Here are some of the most common ones:
- Daytime sleepiness
- Loud snoring
- Waking up with a sore throat
- Morning headaches
- Waking up gasping for air
- Mood changes
- Difficulty focusing
- Memory loss
The Dangers of Sleep Apnea
In addition to the frustrating symptoms listed above, sleep apnea can have even more detrimental effects. People who lack quality sleep struggle with focus, memory, depression, and reaction time. Untreated sleep apnea can also increase your risk of developing heart disease and experiencing a cardiovascular event, like a heart attack. Pregnant women with untreated sleep apnea are also more likely to have a pre-term birth due to an increase in blood pressure. Ultimately, if you are experiencing symptoms of sleep apnea, it is a good idea to seek help from a professional.
Sleep Apnea Treatment Options
Many people turn to a CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure) machine for sleep apnea treatment. With a CPAP, the patient wears a facemask while sleeping, and air is consistently projected into the body. This keeps soft tissues from collapsing and blocking airflow. This method is great for some, however, a CPAP is bulky and can feel uncomfortable for others, so it can make one less likely to be compliant with their treatment plan.
Dr. Canzoneri offers a conservative and comfortable alternative called oral appliance therapy. Made from acrylic and custom-fitted for your mouth, this therapy involves wearing a nightguard that keeps the lower jaw positioned so that soft tissues will not obstruct the air passage during sleep. Oral appliance therapy helps many patients find relief from snoring and sleep apnea.