Have you ever heard of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA)? This disorder impacts millions of people, and without treatment, this could leave you exhausted and even strain your heart health. In today’s blog, your Katy, TX, dentist talks about how we diagnose and treat sleep apnea.
The Causes of OSA
How does a person develop sleep apnea? Well, the factors vary. For some, this is due to obesity or a large neck circumference. For others, sinus infection and allergies could be responsible. Factors include deviated septum, and issues with the growth and development of your oral structures. While men 55 and older have an especially high risk, this can impact teens and adults alike of all genders. As part of your treatment, we will identify the cause of your OSA and assess the severity, so we can select the most appropriate treatment option.
Warning Signs
How do you know if you should seek treatment? Your significant other may let you know that you snore frequently. You could also wake up choking or gasping for air in the night, or experience dry mouth in the morning. Headaches, daytime drowsiness, irritability, and trouble focusing on tasks are also common symptoms. With OSA, as you sleep the soft tissues in the back of the mouth and in the throat become too relaxed. They collapse and cut off airflow. You stop breathing for a few seconds until the brain wakes. And while you may not remember this happening, it can occur hundreds of times in a single night. As a result, your immune system is strained and more frequent illness is a possibility, and the stress on your heart health could mean heart disease, hypertension, stroke, and heart attack. So, don’t ignore these potential symptoms!
Treatment with an Oral Appliance
Our team doesn’t rely on a CPAP machine to help you rest. Instead, we can take detailed digital impressions of your smile that allow us to design and fabricate an oral appliance in a lab setting. The device is worn at night, and as you sleep it moves your jaw forward. This prevents the collapse of soft tissues, so you can sleep without interruption and feel rested the next day. You can also help by resting on your side, avoiding screens right before bed, keeping your bedroom dark and cool, and maintaining a regular sleep schedule.
If you have any questions about diagnosing and treating sleep apnea, then contact our team today to learn more.
Your Katy, TX, Dentist Offers Solutions for Poor Rest
Our team wants to offer a comfortable and noninvasive solution to OSA. For more information on helping people rest with ease again, call Lathrop Dental Center in Katy, TX at 832-437-3849 to schedule a visit.
