Sleep Apnea Symptoms

Sleep Apnea is a serious condition that can have a negative impact on your overall health and well-being. This condition occurs when the airway becomes temporarily blocked or compressed while sleeping (obstructive sleep apnea) or when the brain does not effectively send signals to the muscles that control breathing (central sleep apnea). It is important to recognize the signs of sleep apnea so that a proper evaluation and screening can be performed. Although sleep apnea can be hard to diagnose, consulting with a specialist can help you to identify the symptoms that result from this condition and to seek effective treatment.Dr. Todd Smith and Dr. Michael Cole may be able to offer you a dental device for sleep apnea.If you are experiencing sleep apnea, you may wake up feeling tired in the morning, which tends to last throughout the day. This condition prevents you from fully engaging in deep sleep to meet the necessary sleep requirements your body needs in order to function to the best of your abilities. While asleep, the compression of the airway caused by tissues in the throat can cause you to make snoring or snorting noises (obstructive sleep apnea). You may even stop breathing for periods of up to 10 seconds, which disrupts sleeping patterns, leading to a poor quality of sleep. Of course, it is likely impossible for you to know if you are exhibiting these actions at night, so having someone who sleeps close to you watch for these signs is helpful. Some patients even undergo a sleep study to enable specialists to fully diagnose signs of sleep apnea.

Treatment for the condition of obstructive sleep apnea does exist. A dental device for sleep apnea can be fabricated and will position your jaw in such a way that the airway is less likely to become compressed. This custom-made device is worn in the mouth and reduces constriction of airflow by pulling the lower jaw forward and holding it in place. Treatment of central sleep apnea requires the expertise of a cardiologist or neurologist, so consult your physician if you believe that you are experiencing signs of sleep apnea.

A dental device for sleep apnea can help to alleviate the occurrence and resulting effects of obstructive sleep apnea. If you believe that you may have this condition or are exhibiting the signs of sleep apnea, effective treatment is available and can improve your quality of life. Call Dr. Smith and Dr. Cole today to discuss treating your sleep apnea condition.