What is an effective treatment of sleep apnea?
Do you or your loved one have sleep apnea? If so, you might be interested to know about the available treatment options. Sleep apnea is an annoying condition that doesn’t allow people to get a good night’s sleep. But that’s not it. Sleep apnea can be a dangerous condition if left untreated. If you think you or your family member have this issue, you should seek sleep apnea treatment in Houston. Read on to find out what effective sleep apnea treatments are available today.
What is Sleep Apnea?
Sleep apnea is a condition that obstructs breathing while you sleep. In other words, this condition causes people to stop breathing during sleep. The duration can vary in frequency and length. Here are two types of sleep apnea:
Obstructive sleep apnea – this condition occurs when your airways are partially or entirely blocked. It’s the most common type of sleep apnea.
Central sleep apnea – this condition occurs when the brain fails to send proper signals to your respiratory system. This causes a delay or stops breathing.
Sleep apnea symptoms
The symptoms associated with sleep apnea are both physical and behavioral, including:
- Insomnia
- Short of breath when waking up
- Restless sleep
- Memory loss
- Daytime sleepiness
- Loud snoring
- Dry mouth when waking up
- Mood swings
- Lack of focus
- Headaches
In some cases, patients with sleep apnea couldn’t recognize the signs themselves. But their bed partner often identifies the issue because of their partner’s loud snoring or sudden gasping for air. If you notice a similar problem in your partner, encourage them to visit A+ Star Smile Dental.
Treatment Options for Sleep Apnea
Sleep apnea can affect each individual differently. The breathing obstruction can cause difficulty in breathing significantly for some patients and mildly for others. The treatment options differ with these variations. Your medical or dental professional will recommend you treatment options depending on the severity of your condition.
Sleep apnea treatment options range from invasive options to simple non-invasive treatments and lifestyle alterations, including:
Lifestyle changes
- Quitting tobacco usage
- Working to lose weight
- Exercising frequently to improve oxygen and blood flow in the body
- Changing positions as you sleep
- Taking prescriptions for allergies
- Using nasal decongestants
Oral devices
Your dentist might recommend you use oral devices that help with breathability at night, including a special mouthguard made to improve this condition. It will hold your jaw in a specific position to keep your airway open as you sleep.
Surgical procedure
This treatment option is typically used for severe cases.
- Jaw surgery – it involves shifting the upper and lower jaw to enlarge the space between your tongue and soft palate.
- Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UPPP) – it involves the removal of tissue in the back of your mouth that can potentially obstruct the airway.
- Implants – these prosthetics are inserted to hold your soft palate and reduce the collapsing of muscles as you breathe at night.
Sleep apnea is an acute illness that can cause several health issues. If you or your loved one is suffering from this condition, feel free to visit A+ Star Smile Dental.
