Do you wake up in the morning feeling less than refreshed? Have you been told you snore? If you have problems with your sleep, you may be one of the many adults who suffer from sleep apnea. Don’t worry, you are in luck! If you are looking for sleep apnea treatment near Keller, Smiles by Martin Dentistry is here to help you get the rest you need to stay happy and healthy. Keep reading to find out common sleep apnea symptoms as well as some reasons to see a dentist, like Dr. Greg Martin, to help treat sleep apnea!
What is Sleep Apnea?
Sleep apnea is a common disorder where you briefly stop breathing as you sleep. Sleep apnea is dangerous for your health, and extreme cases can even have fatal results. Anyone can have sleep apnea — even children. There are many different signs and symptoms of sleep apnea. You may have some or all of them. It is important to diagnose sleep apnea as soon as possible to help prevent further health problems from occurring.
Now that you know what sleep apnea is, let’s talk about some of the common causes, signs and symptoms of sleep apnea.
Common Causes for Sleep Apnea:
- Being overweight
- Enlarged tonsils
- Enlarged adenoids: A mass of enlarged lymphatic tissue between the back of the nose and the throat, often hindering speaking and breathing in young children. (adenoids shrink as we get older so this is usually a problem unique to children)
- Genetic causes such as an inherited narrow airway or a large tongue
- Taking sedatives before bedtime
- Consuming alcoholic beverages
- Hypothyroidism: Abnormally low activity of the thyroid gland, resulting in retardation of growth and mental development in children and adults.
- Acromegaly: Abnormal growth of hands, feet, and face caused by overproduction of growth hormones by the pituitary gland
- Lung disease
Signs and Symptoms of Sleep Apnea:
- Long periods of pauses in which you do not breathe while sleeping
- Snoring
- Gasping during sleep
- Difficulty staying awake or being tired during the day
- Depression or mood swings
- Difficulty concentrating
- Memory loss
- Frequent headaches
Since you are asleep when signs of sleep apnea occur, they are often reported to you by a spouse or other sleeping partner. Healthy sleep is attainable for you (and your partner), and Dr. Greg Martin will be able to determine and suggest the appropriate sleep apnea treatment plan for you.
What is Oral Appliance Therapy?
Oral Appliances are shaped like a mouth protector, and are worn when you are sleeping. Oral therapy is designed specifically to provide the right amount of air for people who snore or have obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). Oral appliances can be used alone or with another form of therapy through a continuous positive air pressure (CPAP) to reduce snoring and treat obstructive sleep apnea to prevent the airway from collapsing.
Some Advantages of Oral Appliance Therapy:
- Oral appliances are comfortable and easy to wear.
- Oral appliances are small and easy to carry when traveling.
- Treatment with oral appliances is reversible and non-invasive.
If you know that you are living with sleep apnea and are unhappy with your current treatment plan, or are seeking treatment for the first time, contact Smiles by Martin Dentistry near Keller today at 817.481.1041. Schedule an appointment with Dr. Greg Martin to go over other sleep apnea treatment options and help you find a safer alternative treatment for you.