Sleep apnea is a sleep disorder associated with brief pauses in breathing throughout the night, which can make it difficult to achieve restful sleep. In addition to leaving you feeling unrested, sleep apnea is linked to an increased risk for developing hypertension, heart disease, and stroke. Seeking treatment can help you sleep better and reduce your risk for these other health issues. Dr. Nicholas Poblete and Dr. Jack Holt provide treatment for sleep apnea at our Modesto, CA, dental practice.
What is Sleep Apnea?
Sleep apnea is a condition in which a blocked or collapsed airway prevents air from reaching the lungs, which results in interrupted breathing. There are a few ways a person’s airway can become blocked while sleeping. Sometimes the tongue rolls back and blocks the airway. Tissues in the throat can also collapse across the airway and block it.
Some individuals have an increased risk of developing sleep apnea. Risk factors include:
- Middle-aged
- Overweight or obese
- High blood pressure
- Family history of sleep apnea
- Men develop sleep apnea more often than women
Symptoms of Sleep Apnea
Sleep apnea is associated with several different symptoms. Two common signs you have the condition include snoring and regularly feeling unrested upon waking. If you exhibit symptoms of the condition, the experienced dentists at our office in Modesto, CA, can determine if sleep apnea is the cause and develop a treatment plan to help you sleep better.
Sleep apnea symptoms include:
- Loud snoring
- Restlessness when sleeping
- Brief pauses in breathing while sleeping
- Feeling unrested after a full night’s sleep
- Difficulty concentrating or focusing
- Fatigue throughout the day
- Depression or anxiety
- Headaches
- Irritability
Treatments for Sleep Apnea
CPAP therapy, which stands for continuous positive airway pressure, is the most common method for treating sleep apnea. A machine delivers a consistent stream of air pressure through a face mask worn by the patient while sleeping. The consistent pressure keeps the airway from collapsing so air can pass through freely, which eliminates pauses in breathing. CPAP therapy is extremely effective but can be slightly uncomfortable for some patients.
Oral appliance therapy is an alternative method for treating sleep apnea that many patients find much more comfortable. A small oral device similar to a mouthguard is worn in the mouth while sleeping. No additional equipment is needed. The appliance is custom-made for each individual patient and works by holding the jaw in a stable position. This prevents the airway from becoming blocked so there are no more pauses in breathing while sleeping. Keeping the airway open also reduces snoring.
Sleep apnea can interfere with your ability to achieve restful sleep and leave you feeling less than your best throughout the day. Oral appliance therapy could be the solution you need to finally sleep better. For the treatment of sleep apnea in Modesto, CA, schedule a consultation with Dr. Poblete or Dr. Holt by calling our dental practice at (209) 521-6822.