Learn About Sleep Apnea Symptoms And Treatment Options From Carlsbad, Ca Dentist

Sleep apnea is a very common sleep condition with potentially serious consequences for your long-term health and longevity. Up to 22 million Americans suffer from the condition, but it is estimated that 80 percent of those with moderate to severe forms of the disorder are undiagnosed. Read on to learn more about the symptoms of sleep apnea and effective treatment options from Dr. Al Fallah, dentist in Carlsbad, CA.

SLEEP APNEA EXPLAINED

Sleep apnea is a chronic disorder in which you temporarily stop breathing when you are sleeping. There are three types of sleep apnea that are classified by what is causing you to stop breathing:

• Obstructive sleep apnea: the most common type, this occurs when your airway becomes blocked while you sleep, typically due to the soft tissues in your mouth collapsing into the back of your throat and closing off your airway
• Central sleep apnea: this occurs when your brain fails to signal your muscles to take a breath
• Mixed sleep apnea: this is a combination of both obstructive sleep apnea and central sleep apnea

SYMPTOMS OF OBSTRUCTIVE SLEEP APNEA

There are several symptoms associated with sleep apnea. You may not be able to notice some of them yourself, but your bed partner may alert you to them:

• Snoring throughout the night
• Startling awake with a gasp or choking sound
• Feeling tired throughout the day
• Having a headache when you wake up
• Waking up with a dry mouth or throat
• Forgetfulness or brain fog
• Decreased libido

If you think you may have sleep apnea, it is critical for your health to talk to your doctor about your symptoms. Untreated, sleep apnea can have deadly consequences. It has been linked to several severe health conditions, including:

• High blood pressure
• Cardiovascular disease
• Headaches
• Memory problems
• Chronic fatigue
• Impotence
• Weight gain
• Mood disorders
• Inability to focus
• Severe accidents, such as car crashes, due to fatigue

If your doctor suspects you have sleep apnea, you may need to undergo a sleep test either at a sleep laboratory or in your home to confirm the diagnosis. Once you are diagnosed with the condition, it is time to consider your treatment options.

TREATMENT OPTIONS FOR SLEEP APNEA

The conventional treatment for sleep apnea is called a continuous positive airway pressure, or CPAP, machine. This machine consists of two main parts: a face mask that you wear, which is connected via a tube to a machine that blows air into the mask throughout the night. The machine provides continual air pressure in your mouth and throat, keeping your tissues from blocking it and your airway from becoming restricted or narrowed. While CPAP machines are highly effective if used properly, many patients are unable to tolerate them because they can be noisy and cumbersome, and the face mask can cause discomfort and pressure on your face.

A more modern, comfortable solution offered by Dr. Fallah is the Daytime-Nighttime Appliance® (DNA) system. This dental appliance is approved by the FDA and can bring relief to patients suffering from snoring and sleep apnea by correcting the underlying issues that are contributing to it. The DNA system uses the concept of Pneumopedics® to gently and gradually increase the size of your upper jaw, providing more space in your nasal passages for air to flow freely while you sleep. The appliance is custom designed for your comfort and only needs to be worn for a few hours in the evening and then while you sleep.

Another dental treatment option for sleep apnea that Dr. Fallah provides is called the mandibular Repositioning-Nighttime Appliance®, or mRNA. This device uses biomimetic principles to correct the position of your lower jaw and redevelop your upper airway, in addition to helping align your teeth in the proper position.