Treatment for Sleep Apnea in Glendale
Do you snore? Or feel unrested after waking up in the morning? Does your throat feel sore in the morning? Are you often exhausted and fatigued even after a good night’s sleep?
If you answered yes to any of these questions, you might have sleep apnea. Sleep apnea is a common sleeping disorder that causes the oxygen levels to drop and repeatedly start and stop breathing. When this happens, the body sends signals to the brain, causing gasping and snoring.
Irregularity in breathing patterns can disrupt sleep and lead to various health problems associated with loss of sleep. Sleep apnea decreases productivity and increases high blood pressure and depression.
Diagnosing Sleep Apnea
Sleep apnea is diagnosed by performing a sleep study in a sleep center. There are three different kinds of sleep apnea: central, mixed, and obstructive.
One of the most common types of sleep apnea is obstructive sleep apnea, in which the upper airways of a person are partially or completed blocked during sleep. Patients suffering from obstructive sleep apnea may experience jerking and loud gasping caused by the restricted oxygen flow.
Other symptoms of sleep apnea:
- Poor productivity and performance during the day
- Sleepiness and sluggishness during the day
- Difficulty swallowing and breathing
- Unusual and uncomfortable sleeping positions
- Sweating at night
If left untreated, sleep apnea symptoms can worsen and cause hypertension, blood pressure, and heart attacks. Research has found that sleep apnea is also responsible for job impairment and poor academic performance.
If you are experiencing any sleep apnea symptoms, contact our office in Glendale to get a referral for a sleep study.
Treating Sleep Apnea
The most common approach to treating sleep apnea is performing CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure). In CPAP therapy, patients have to wear a mask covering their mouth and nose; the machine attached to the mask pushes air into the airways, keeping them open during the night.
CPAP is an effective method of treating sleep apnea, but most patients cannot tolerate the pressure, so they tend to avoid it.
Oral Appliances to Treat Sleep Apnea
Customized oral appliances are a dental approach to help ease sleep apnea symptoms. Oral appliances designed for sleep apnea reposition the tongue, preventing it from blocking the air and moving the jaw slightly forward. These appliances are effective in keeping the airways open during the night. At AZ Cosmetic and Family Dentistry, we design oral appliances that perfectly fit in your mouth and help you sleep peacefully.
For more information about sleep apnea and oral appliances, please schedule a consultation with our experts in Glendale, Arizona. We will discuss your symptoms and perform a thorough evaluation to assess your condition.
After an examination, we will determine the severity of the condition and recommend treatment plans and oral appliances to deliver the best results.