Get a Convenient Remedy and Sleep Better
Sleep apnea can be a serious problem. Besides snoring being a real nuisance to your bed partner, sleep apnea can also lead to many medical complications. Finding quality sleep apnea solutions that will work for you can be difficult, but using an FDA-approved dental appliance for sleep apnea could be just what you need for a good night’s rest.
About Sleep Apnea
While it may be easy to think of sleep apnea (also called obstructive sleep apnea – OSA) as a snoring problem, it really is much more than that. It is identified as a problem caused by stopping your breathing and then starting again. This may occur only a few times per hour, or it may occur as many as 100 times per hour.
About 200,000 people are diagnosed with this condition every year. Any snoring is considered to be a problem, but it may not actually be sleep apnea. While people of any age can develop sleep apnea, even infants, it is most common among people who are 41 or older.
Causes of Sleep Apnea
Sleep apnea is caused by the muscles at the back of your throat relaxing, which, if there is enough tissue, it can fall into your airway and cut it off completely. Breathing may stop for 10 to 20 seconds at a time, and then the brain detects it and tries to wake you up. You may wake up so briefly that you do not remember it.
Complications of Sleep Apnea
As the symptoms of sleep apnea continue, there are many possible complications. These range from rather mild problems to being fatal. The complications include:
- Daytime fatigue – There is a nearly constant tiredness even though you may have been in bed for eight hours.
- Sleepiness – People with sleep apnea are often falling asleep. It can occur at any time – at work, while driving, or even while watching a TV program.
- Cardiovascular problems – Due to lowered oxygen levels in the blood, it increases blood pressure. More severe problems can lead to increased risk of arrhythmias, heart disease, a heart attack, and stroke.
- Eye problems – It may increase the risk of glaucoma.
- Depression – People with this condition often experience depression.
- Other problems – Due to a lack of quality sleep, there may also be problems with memory, mood swings, frequent urinating at night, and libido problems.
Diagnosis for Sleep Apnea
Getting a diagnosis for sleep apnea will require getting tested for it. This often requires spending a night in a sleep lab, but devices are also available to conduct a test at home. The sleep lab provides more accurate machines, and they test for more functions than a home unit.
Options for Sleep Apnea Treatment
After a medical diagnosis has been given, treatment for a sleep apnea problem will usually involve a CPAP machine. These are electrically powered machines that provide pressurized air with oxygen through a face mask that is worn while sleeping.
Many people do not like the sleep apnea mask. They find it uncomfortable or unpractical because it can slip off your face as you move while sleeping.
Get a Dental Appliance for Sleep Apnea
As an alternative to a CPAP machine, you can get an FDA approved dental appliance. These devices fit into your mouth and hold the air passage open while you sleep.
There are three types of oral appliances for sleep apnea, and all three are FDA-approved. The FDA has given an overall general approval for this type of device as long as they meet certain specifications. The sleep apnea devices fit like a mouth guard and most will move the jaw forward. This prevents the air passage from closing, ensuring a better night’s sleep. Most people feel refreshed after using the device even for a single night.
Risk Factors for Sleep Apnea
Several things are apt to make it more likely that you may develop obstructive sleep apnea. They include:
- Overweight
- Smoking
- Older than 40
- Family history.
An oral appliance for sleep apnea can be used by many people – but not everyone. Many of these devices are designed for people with mild to moderate sleep apnea, but some are now available for those with even severe cases. People with severe cases of sleep apnea also have a number of other solutions, including surgery, implanted devices, and more.
Advantages of an Oral Appliance
The sleep apnea mouthpiece provides several advantages over a typical CPAP machine. For one thing, it does not require any electricity to run. It is also much smaller, lighter, and easier to carry with you when traveling.
In order to get a custom-fitted oral appliance, you will need to go to a dentist for it. A custom-designed appliance enables any issues that may be causing or contributing to the sleep apnea to be addressed. This may involve a CT scan in order to get a better diagnosis of your jaw, throat, palate, tonsils, etc.
In order to get tested for sleep apnea, or to get your custom-fitted FDA approved dental appliances for sleep apnea, you can contact ToothHQ Dental clinic . We have offices in the Carrollton, Cedar Hill, Dallas and Grapevine, TX areas. For more information about our dental services, or to set up a FREE dental consult, you can call us today at 214-731-0123
