Your Dental Sleep Expert in Arcadia Weighs in on Sleep Apnea

Do you wake-up feeling exhausted, even after you’ve had what should have been a sufficient amount of sleep? Are you a loud snorer? If so, then you may be suffering from sleep apnea. Your dental sleep expert in Arcadia says this is a serious condition that shouldn’t be ignored. As you read on, you’ll learn about other symptoms to be on the lookout for and what can be done to treat this condition.

What is Sleep Apnea?

Sleep apnea is the repeated pausing of your breathing at night that causes you to break your sleep. One of your body’s built-in survival mechanisms is to send an alert message when breathing stops. This is what causes you to awaken repeatedly and feel lethargic the next day.

Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) Explained

The most common type of sleep apnea that your dental sleep expert treats is OSA, which is the repeated pausing in your breathing brought on by the collapse of your throat muscles. Some contributors to this problem are weight gain, anxiety, a large neck size, hypertension, advanced age and family history.

The Symptoms of Sleep Apnea

Along with snoring and daytime lethargy, here are some of the other sleep apnea symptoms to lookout for:

• Irritability
• Insomnia
• Memory loss
• Morning headaches
• Difficulty concentrating
• Decreased sexual desire
• Silent pauses in breathing
• Choking or gasping sounds
• Daytime sleepiness or fatigue
• Nocturia (waking during the night to go to the bathroom)

If you or your spouse notice any of these traits, then you should immediately contact your dentist for sleep apnea treatment.

How Your Sleep Apnea Can be Treated

Although the CPAP (controlled positive airway pressure) machine is one of the more known ways of treating sleep apnea, for many people it’s too loud and cumbersome. Your dentist offers the alternative of an oral appliance called a nightguard that can be comfortably and quietly worn while you sleep. It will position your jaw so your soft tissues won’t block your airway while you rest.

You can also incorporate the following alternative methods to aid with your recovery:

• Start a new exercise program.
• Take yoga classes, and start meditating.
• Turn off all electrical devices before retiring for bed.
• Stop eating at least two hours before bed to allow your body to rest.

Getting a good night’s sleep is vital to maintaining a strong immune system and enjoying the best overall health. If you’re missing out on the rest you need, then reach out to your sleep apnea dentist to schedule a consultation. With the expert care you’ll receive, you can soon have more productive days!

About the Author

A graduate of Northwestern Dental School, Dr. Kenneth J. Canzoneri has a wealth of knowledge and experience that he shares with each of his patients. To correct your sleep apnea woes, he provides oral sleep appliances that help you rest better at his private practice. Dr. Canzoneri can be reached for more information through his website.