What Should You Know About Sleep Apnea?

Sleep apnea is a prevalent sleep disorder where a person has pauses in breathing during sleep. Usually, it is not considered a severe problem, but it can lead to serious health complications if not treated. If you want to know more about sleep apnea, Summit Dental Of La Mesa has prepared information about it, including its symptoms and available sleep apnea treatment options.

What Are the Symptoms of Sleep Apnea?

Usually, a person suffering from sleep apnea is unaware of the symptoms. However, another person sleeping next to them may notice the following common signs of sleeping apnea:

• Gasps of air
• Loud snoring
• Pauses in breathing that are followed by a noisy breath

There are other symptoms that a person with sleep apnea may notice during the day:

• Insomnia
• Fatigue
• Heartburn
• Irritability
• Awakening with a dry mouth or sore throat
• Difficulty concentrating
• Chronic headaches
• Decreased libido

Who Gets Sleep Apnea?

Sleep apnea occurs more in men than women and affects people of all ages. The common classical physical features are excess weight, a small jaw with an overbite, a large neck, and nasal obstruction. However, thin females are another large group to be diagnosed with sleep apnea.  Young children with learning disabilities, those who grind their teeth in their sleep or are chronic bedwetters should be screened for a possible sleep study.

What Are the Treatments Available?

At Summit Dental of La Mesa, we offer the following treatments of sleep apnea:

• Lifestyle changes. You can change several things and certain habits you can get rid of to reduce sleep apnea symptoms. For example, if you are a smoker, you should stop smoking. You should also start exercising more and become more physically active. Specialists also recommend changing your sleeping position or replace your mattress.
• Appliance therapy. It is considered a first-line treatment for mild and moderate sleep apnea. The most beneficial thing about this therapy is that it is not invasive and offers a great variety of oral devices used for treating sleep apnea. Appliance therapy is one of the most effective remedies for this disorder, with an 84% success rate.
• Myofunctional Therapy. Current research shows this therapy can reduce Apneas (Stop breathing for 10 seconds or more) and Hypoxias (Blood oxygen decreases by 4%) by 50%
• CPAP or breathing device. It is a unique device that delivers continuous pressurized air, which helps keep the airways open at night when a patient is asleep.
• Surgery. Surgery can be an effective treatment option for patients with moderate to severe cases of sleep apnea. Surgery is usually considered second-line therapy for sleep apnea.

Summit Dental of La Mesa – Your Health is Our Priority

If you or your family member noticed that you have sleep apnea symptoms, it is time to see a sleep apnea dentist as soon as possible. If you live in La Mesa, CA, or any other nearby town, and you are looking for a dental practice specializing in treating sleep apnea, Dr. Richard B. Evans at Summit Dental of La Mesa is ready to help you. We are a team of experienced dentists who treat a variety of health problems, including sleep apnea. If you are prepared to schedule your first appointment, feel free to give us a call at (619) 494-2492.