Frustrated woman covering ears with pillow while man snoring in bed[/caption]Frustrated woman covering ears with pillow while man snoring in bed[/caption]Do you or a loved one struggle with snoring or have difficulty breathing when asleep? Heavy snoring or obstructed breathing interferes with the amount of oxygen that reaches the brain, thus depriving the brain and body of oxygen.

What Exactly Is Sleep Apnea?

According to the Mayo Clinic, sleep apnea is defined as a potentially serious sleep disorder in which breathing repeatedly stops and starts. You may have sleep apnea if you snore loudly and feel tired, even after a full night’s sleep.

There are three types of sleep apnea:

• Obstructive sleep apnea, the more common form that occurs when an airway collapses.
• Central sleep apnea occurs when your brain doesn’t send proper signals to the muscles that control breathing.
• Complex sleep apnea syndrome, also known as treatment-emergent central sleep apnea, occurs when someone has both obstructive sleep apnea and central sleep apnea.

A person with obstructive sleep apnea may experience shallow breathing and possible pauses in breath, which may look disturbing.  These breathing interruptions can last anywhere from a few seconds to a couple of minutes per breathing episode and these disturbances can cause an individual to have restless sleep and feel extremely fatigued during the day.

Signs of Obstructive Sleep Apnea

If you have or have experienced any of the following, you may suffer from obstructive sleep apnea:

• You gasp for air or even stop breathing while you sleep
• You often wake feeling ‘un-refreshed’
• You sometimes feel excessively sleepy during the day
• Your energy and motivation has decreased
• You find it difficult to concentrate
• You have high blood pressure
• You have recently suffered a stroke or heart attack
• You have Type II Diabetes

While obstructed sleep apnea can affect anyone at any age, regardless of body type, the following traits may increase the risk of developing this sleep disorder:

• Family history
• Smoker
• High blood pressure
• Age 40 and older
• A large neck
• Over-sized tonsils
• Over-weight/ Obesity

Why Is Sleep Apnea Dangerous?

Untreated sleep apnea increases the chance of heart attack, stroke, Type II diabetes, and even sudden death. Recent reports now even indicate a relationship between untreated sleep apnea and cancer, along with dementia, obesity and other health issues.

Up to 20% of the US adult population has been estimated to be affected by sleep apnea and an even more alarming 90% of the population remains undiagnosed.

Snoring is is no laughing matter. Since snoring may be an indicator of sleep apnea, it should be taken seriously.  Testing and treatment are necessary to avoid heart problems and other complications.

Sleep Apnea Poses Serious Risks To Your Health

Untreated sleep apnea can be a contributing risk factor in high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, diabetes, and depression.

Additionally, there is a five times greater risk of dying from cancer when you have untreated sleep apnea.

Some additional statistics include:

• 83% of people who suffer from high blood pressure, despite taking 3 or more drugs, also have sleep apnea
• Almost 70% of people who have suffered a stroke have sleep apnea
• A person with untreated sleep apnea is seven times more likely to have a car accident
• 60-65% of diabetic patients have obstructive sleep apnea

Sleep Apnea Treatments for Easier Breathing

Once a patient has been diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnea, we create a custom oral appliance that supports the lower jaw and positions it forward which keeps the airway open during sleep. This appliance is similar to a mouth guard and is worn at night or anytime during sleep.

This custom device, which is also known as a mandibular advancement device (MAD), is positioned in such a way that the mandible (lower jaw) is positioned forward slightly, just enough to keep the airway open for efficient breathing and to stop snoring.

The doctors at Triangle Family Dentistry are specially trained in fabricating and fitting sleep appliances for our patients. We utilize a digital impression technique and order the custom appliance specific to your needs.

The screenings are quick and reliable, and oral appliances are custom-made and adjusted to provide the exact position that is right for you and your unique situation. The oral appliance is soft on the inside, more durable and sturdy on the outside, and uses a BPA-free material.

What Others Are Saying

Watch and listen to what one of our patients has to say about her experience with Triangle Family Dentistry’s sleep solutions:

Life-Saving Treatment for Obstructed Breathing

Obstructive sleep apnea and heavy snoring are much more than just an inconvenience; they are potentially life-threatening disorders and proper treatment is crucial for reducing the associated risks.

If you think you might suffer from obstructive sleep apnea and would like to learn more, Contact Us today to schedule an appointment to speak with one of our specially trained doctors.

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