02 Nov A Look At Obstructive Sleep Apnea
Posted at 11:49h in Sleep Apnea
When you have obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), this means you have issues with breathing while you sleep, which can impact how well you rest and your overall oral health too. Which is why recognizing symptoms and seeking treatment is so important! Your Schertz, TX, sleep experts explains when to see us for treatment, and talks about our CPAP alternative.
The Causes of OSA
What causes sleep apnea? Well, with OSA you stop breathing briefly several times a night as soft tissues collapse and cut off airflow. This could be due to complications with the growth of your oral structures and soft tissues, a large neck circumference, obesity, deviated septum, or even sinus or allergy issues. The disorder can impact people of all ages and genders, but is particularly widespread in men 55 and older. As part of your treatment, we will carefully examine you to assess the cause and severity of your disorder, so we can choose the right solution for you and offer positive changes to your sleep routine.
The Symptoms and Health Impacts
As we touched on above, this could mean you stop breathing briefly at night, during which you may gasp for air or choke. Chronic snoring is commonly reported too, as is dry mouth in the morning and exhausted during the day. Depression, moodiness, daytime exhaustion, and difficulty focusing and concerns with memory are also common too. When you experience one or more of these potential symptoms, see us right away so we can conduct a diagnosis. Otherwise, the disorder could eventually stress your immune system so more frequent illness is common. You could also suffer from strain on your heart health, leading to heart disease, hypertension, and even a greater risk of stroke and heart attack.
Oral Appliance Treatment
Our team could recommend resting on your side instead of your back, and avoiding large meals, vigorous exercise, or excessive alcohol in the two hours before bed, and keeping your bedroom dark and cool. With a custom oral appliance, we can also help you avoid sleep apnea symptoms. This device is custom-made for you and worn like a mouthguard as you rest at night. The device moves your jaw and tongue forward to keep airways from being obstructed, so you rest without interruption and obtain a good night’s rest. You’re more rested and alert the next day, and this doesn’t strain your heart health and immune system.
If you have any questions about treating issues like OSA, then contact our team today to learn more.
Contact Your Schertz, TX, Sleep Experts for OSA Treatment
If you recognize the warning signs of sleep apnea, then consider an appointment to find out what treatment you may need. You can reach your Schertz, TX, sleep experts by calling (210) 541-9001.