21 Mar Answering Your Questions About Sleep Apnea
Posted at 14:03h
in Sleep Apnea
If you or a loved one have been struggling to get enough rest at night, it may be time to seek professional advice. Often, your poor quality of rest in the evenings could be due to your airways becoming blocked at night. When this happens, you may be snoring or have pauses in your breathing, which can prevent you from reaching a deep state of sleep that allows you to feel refreshed in the morning. Your San Antonio, TX, sleep team is here today to answer some questions you may have about getting diagnosed and finding a treatment for these conditions.
What Symptoms Should I Look Out For?
Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) can be hard to diagnose because symptoms can occur while you sleep. If someone has told you that you snore loudly, this is often a primary indicator of a serious concern. Additionally, other signs such as headaches, dry mouth, and increased blood pressure may be a symptom of OSA. You can also take our risk assessment to determine your risk factors for this sleep disorder before scheduling a consultation.
Can I Treat the Disorder on My Own?
Some patients may want to try to relieve their symptoms with at-home remedies. However, your airways become blocked at night by soft tissues, making it impossible to relieve the disorder with at-home remedies. If you delay treating the disorder, it could exacerbate your symptoms and jeopardize your health. If you are unsure if you are at risk of a disorder or need treatment, we recommend taking our assessment quiz and scheduling a consultation with our team. When you come in for your visit, our team will carefully review your symptoms and perform a thorough examination to assist in the diagnosis.
Are There Other Options Besides CPAP?
If you have already been diagnosed with OSA or know someone who has it, you may already be familiar with a CPAP machine. This device uses a mask that covers your mouth and nose and delivers air throughout the night. Although this treatment can be effective in reducing symptoms of OSA, it is unfortunately not always the most comfortable or convenient for patients to wear. Many patients may put off treatment for these disorders because they would rather not use a CPAP machine. Luckily, our team offers a more comfortable and discreet option to relieve your symptoms. An oral appliance, resembling a mouthguard, maintains your airways open during the night. Our team may be able to create your custom appliance after you have had a consultation with our dentist.
Learn More With Our Team
Do you want to learn more about sleep disorders and our treatment options? Please contact Dr. Drake’s team in San Antonio, TX, at 210-541-9001 today.