Do you snore loudly or wake up several times during the night? You may be suffering from a sleep disorder known as sleep apnea. Sleep apnea is a common disorder that affects as many as 25 percent of adults in the United States.
The condition causes disruptions in breathing patterns during sleep which can restrict airflow to your lungs. Since the sleep disorder can cause severe fatigue during the day, treating it is crucial to lead a normal lifestyle.
Hence, we reached out to some sleep apnea dentists in San Antonio,Tx to help understand the condition and how to treat it properly.
Table of Contents
What Exactly is Sleep Apnea?
Sleep apnea is a condition where your breathing pauses frequently while you sleep at night. Your throat muscles collapse which blocks airflow forcing your body to wake up to resume normal breathing.
These pauses can last for a few seconds or minutes and can occur as frequently as 30 times under the minute. People with sleep apnea usually wake up feeling drowsy and continue to feel tired throughout the day due to frequent interruptions in their sleep. Snoring, lack of concentration, irritability, and dry mouth are some common symptoms that may indicate you have this sleep disorder.
There are two types of Sleep apnea-
- Obstructive Sleep Apnea where the throat muscles are blocked physically
- Central Sleep Apnea where the brain doesn’t give proper signals required for breathing.
What Causes Sleep Apnea?
The causes of sleep apnea are distinct in each patient. These causes can range from simple nasal congestion that causes the airway to close to more complicated issues like obesity, heart problems, and thyroid issues. Here are some well-known causes that increase the risk of sleep apnea-
- Improper sleeping position
- Narrow airways
- Thicker neck
- Bigger thyroid glands
- Swollen tonsils
- High tongue position
- Allergies
- Family history of the disorder
- Use of muscle relaxers
Since this disorder is quite prevalent, and all of these potential causes are quite common, you should never dismiss the symptoms of sleep apnea as insignificant.
Treating Sleep Apnea for A Healthy Lifestyle
The good news is that sleep apnea can be treated effectively with a variety of noninvasive devices and lifestyle changes. A visit to the physician will help you get a proper diagnosis and initiate treatment early on. And once you begin the treatment, your symptoms will reduce and your sleep pattern can return to normal.
Oral Appliances:
If you have obstructive sleep apnea, your physician along with the dentist will treat it with the help of special oral devices you can wear to sleep. These appliances are similar to a mouthguard and help keep your airway open by changing the positioning of your tongue and jaw.
A dentist who has studied sleep medicine will work closely with your physician to identify the exact cause and then customize an oral device accordingly. Commons oral appliances include tongue retainers and mandibular adjustment devices.
CPAP Machine
The most commonly used treatment for treating sleep apnea is a CPAP machine (continuous positive airway pressure). This machine forces pressurized air into your throat through a face mask while you sleep to keep your airway open and avoid any blockages. CPAP machines are great for patients with moderate or severe disorders when other therapies and lifestyle changes prove futile.
Apart from these therapies, you can also manage mild sleep apnea disorders with help of these lifestyle adjustments.
- Prop your head up while sleeping
- Quit smoking and alcohol
- Lose excess weight
- Exercise regularly or practice yoga
- Sleep on your side or abdomen
When left untreated, sleep apnea can lead to more complicated health problems. So seek professional help immediately before your symptoms worsen.
For more information on how to treat sleep apnea and what your options are, contact Stone Oaks Aesthetics today. They have some of the best cosmetic dentists in San Antonio who have studied sleep medicine and work with specialists to customize a treatment plan for you. So book a consultation right away if you are looking for a sleep apnea dentist in San Antonio, Tx.
