Sleep Apnea Therapy − South Elgin IL
Sleep apnea is a condition characterized by pauses in breathing during sleep. The term “apnea” literally means “ceasing to breathe.”
Sleep apnea often goes unnoticed because it occurs during sleep. One common indicator is chronic snoring. As the throat muscles relax, the tissues vibrate with each breath, leading to snoring. While snoring alone doesn’t indicate sleep apnea, many sleep apnea patients also snore.
Sleep apnea is more prevalent in men than in women and tends to affect older individuals and those who are overweight. However, it’s important to note that younger, fit people are also at risk. Recent studies suggest that up to one-fourth of Americans are at high risk for sleep apnea. If you experience symptoms or signs such as snoring or daytime drowsiness, even after a full night’s sleep, it’s advisable to consult your doctor. Your general practitioner can diagnose sleep apnea through a sleep study.
What Is Sleep Apnea?
Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) occurs when your airway becomes blocked during sleep. This happens when the muscles in your throat relax excessively, causing the tissues of your tongue and throat to temporarily collapse. Even though you’re asleep, your brain reacts to this momentary suffocation and wakes you up just enough to resume breathing. However, the moment you fully relax again, the cycle of sleep apnea can resume.
This cycle can occur hundreds of times per night, leading to disturbed sleep that leaves people feeling drowsy and unrested. Recent studies have linked sleep apnea to serious side effects, including cognitive impairment, cardiovascular problems, diabetes, acid reflux, and more.
Procedure Overview
While your regular physician is the one who diagnoses sleep apnea & can prescribe treatment, there are also ways that the dentist can help. The most common therapy for sleep apnea is continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP), which involves a machine that pumps a constant flow of air into you airways while you wear a mask. As you can imagine, this solution can be uncomfortable & awkward to sleep with & get used to, not to mention the sanitation effort that goes into maintaining a breathing machine at home.
So what does sleep apnea have to do with your dentist? Dentistry has come up with another solution that many patients find more comfortable. Specialized dental appliances that resemble sports mouthguards can keep the lower jaw in a position that prevents the muscles of your tongue & upper throat from collapsing into your airway. Rather than being strapped into a machine, the patient can simply wear a custom-fitted dental appliance. The added benefit of these devices is that they can also prevent snoring, meaning a better night’s rest for your sleep partner too.
If you have been diagnosed with sleep apnea, we can work with you & your doctor to come up with a plan for a dental device that will keep you breathing easily through the night.
