Think you may have sleep apnea? We can help!

What is Obstructive Sleep Apnea?

Although there are different forms of sleep apnea, obstructive sleep apnea is the most common. Obstructive sleep apnea is commonly caused by overly relaxed throat muscles. When these muscles relax, they block your airway when sleeping. The result is that breathing repeatedly stops and starts during sleep.

Sometimes it can be hard to know if you have sleep apnea symptoms. However, there are a wide range of symptoms that occur that you or others can notice, such as:

• Daytime sleepiness and lack of energy

• Loud snoring

• Teeth grinding

• Observed moments of breathing stopping during sleep

• Awakening suddenly with gasping or choking

• Dry mouth or sore throat when awakening

• Morning headache

• Depression and irritability

• High blood pressure

• Acid reflux

Obstructive sleep apnea is linked to certain eye conditions, such as glaucoma. It also puts a strain on the cardiovascular system, increasing the risk for cardiovascular related conditions.

How do we help?

We offer sleep consults right here at our office! If you do have obstructive sleep apnea, we treat it with one of several oral appliances. For many sufferers, sleep appliances will help most or all symptoms of the condition and help you get a much better sleep. This appliance is an effective, safe, and comfortable way to treat sleep apnea and is customized just for you. The appliance is commonly preferred over the CPAP machine because of its small size and convenience, and can be just as effective as a CPAP for mild obstructive sleep apnea.

Not sure if you have sleep apnea? Schedule a consult today!