What is sleep apnea? Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) is a common sleep disorder that affects 1 in 5 people. People with OSA stop breathing while they are asleep because the airway becomes blocked—sometimes hundreds of times a night. This means being abruptly woken up multiple times in the night, which can quickly make sleeping a chore rather than a relaxation.
There are plenty of effects of sleep apnea, and none of them are conducive to good health.
With severe sleep apnea, even if you’re going to bed on time, you won’t be getting the restful sleep you deserve. This can disrupt your day and make it much harder to work, study, or play. Regularly getting a poor night’s sleep can quickly add up, and you might find yourself growing increasingly irritable and unable to focus.
Sleep apnea also has negative physical side effects. Can you die from sleep apnea? Regarding this, scientific studies show that on average, untreated sleep apnea decreases your life expectancy by 10 years! Untreated sleep apnea can worsen pre-existing heart and blood pressure problems, which can put your health in serious jeopardy.
But remember, sleep apnea is treatable! With help from our caring staff at The Canyon Lake Center for Family & Cosmetic Dentistry, you can take steps towards resolving your obstructive sleep apnea today.
You can start sleeping through the night and feeling better in the mornings! Additionally, if you suffer from high blood pressure, depression, diabetes, heart trouble, or are overweight, treating your OSA can improve all of these conditions. There’s plenty of reasons to treat sleep apnea, and you’ll experience almost immediate health benefits no matter what your symptoms are.
How Do I Know If I Have Sleep Apnea?
You can’t treat sleep apnea if you don’t know what it looks like. Despite how disruptive it is, sleep apnea is subtle; even people who suffer from severe sleep apnea often don’t know they have it! However, this condition has symptoms that make it possible to identify and treat.
Signs and Symptoms of Sleep Apnea
If you think you or a loved one might be experiencing sleep apnea, ask yourself the following questions:
- Do you snore? If so, is your snoring noticeably loud and disruptive?
- Do you ever feel as though you’ve stopped breathing during your sleep?
- Do you feel tired when you wake up, even when you have had plenty of time to sleep?
- Do you wake up with headaches?
- Do you feel sleepy during the day?
- Do you have memory lapses?
- Do you often wake up with a dry mouth?
- Have you experienced diminished sex drive?
- Have you had high blood pressure, heart failure, or a stroke?
If you answered yes to any of these questions—particularly if you answered yes to more than one of these questions—we recommend speaking to Dr. Schaack or your general health provider to ask if your symptoms may be related to sleep apnea.
If you are experiencing obstructive sleep apnea, it is vital that you tell your doctor as soon as possible. Unchecked, severe sleep apnea can be dangerous.
Fortunately, you can receive treatment from our office today that can alleviate the risk of sleep apnea and help you sleep well again!
Obstructive Sleep Apnea Treatment
Dr. Schaack is a general and sleep medicine dentist who has extensive knowledge and experience in treating sleep apnea. He can help guide you through the process of figuring out which mode of treatment will be best for you.
When you speak to Dr. Schaack about your sleep apnea concerns, you’ll be able to ask any questions you might have and learn as much about your condition as possible. We can walk you through your treatment options and make sure you know the ins and outs of all our possible sleep apnea procedures. You’ll have access to all the sleep apnea solutions you need when you work with us!
Sleep Apnea Snoring Treatment Options With CPAP
Sleep apnea has been commonly treated with a Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) machine, which delivers a stream of air pressure via a hose to a mask that is strapped around your face.
CPAP devices work effectively. However, many of the people prescribed this machine have difficulty tolerating it or don’t use it at all. Wearing this machine while sleeping can be irritating, and may make it harder to sleep.
If you’re concerned about wearing a CPAP machine to bed, don’t worry. There are more subtle sleep apnea solutions that can solve even severe sleep apnea problems without interfering in your daily life.
Oral Appliance for Sleep Apnea
If you’ve tried a CPAP and are now looking for a new sleep apnea treatment, we invite you to try a comfortable dental appliance for sleep apnea. Here at The Canyon Lake Center for Family & Cosmetic Dentistry, we offer Prosomnus sleeping appliances to help give you a better night’s sleep.
Most people with sleep apnea can be effectively treated with comfortable, non-invasive oral appliances that keep your airway open and allow you to get the proper refreshing sleep that your body critically needs.
Dr. Schaack has been providing patients all over Texas with these custom-fitted Prosomnus oral appliances that are silent, discreet, and do not involve a mask, tubing, or air pressure.
How Does a Sleep Apnea Mouthpiece Work?
Compared to a CPAP machine with its tubes and mask, your average sleep apnea mouthpiece might seem particularly small and simple. However, you can get great results from this small device even if you suffer from obstructive sleep apnea!
A sleep apnea mouthpiece works by gently repositioning your tongue and jaw. These adjustments are small, but they can increase the space in your upper airway. This makes it possible for you to get more air while you sleep, which means a better night’s sleep and better overall health.
When you’re able to sleep well, you’ll have more energy in the morning, a better drive, and an improved ability to focus on the day ahead. Getting a dental appliance for sleep apnea can improve your life in ways you might not expect!
Get a Better Night’s Sleep With Help From Your Dental Team in Canyon Lake, TX
We hope we get the opportunity to work alongside you to overcome the effects of sleep apnea. If you think you might be suffering from sleep apnea, call Canyon Lake Family & Cosmetic Dentistry today.