How to Control Sleep Apnea Symptoms
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Does your partner complain of loud snoring? Do you often wake up suddenly with shortness of breath? If this sounds familiar, you may be experiencing symptoms of sleep apnea.
Sleep apnea causes you to stop breathing up to hundreds of times a night. Fortunately, our dentist can use an oral appliance to hold your jaws in place and clear your upper airway. This sleep apnea device can help you breathe and sleep better.
What is Sleep Apnea?
Sleep apnea is a serious condition that causes people to stop breathing many times during one night of sleep. There are different . However, the most common is called obstructive sleep apnea. Obstructive sleep apnea is most common in people who are overweight because it is caused by soft tissue collapsing at the back of the throat.
Symptoms
If you suspect you or your partner has sleep apnea, call our office as soon as possible to schedule an appointment. Our dentist can help you control sleep apnea symptoms with an oral appliance. The sleep apnea device is worn while you sleep, holding your jaws in a fixed position so you can breathe easier.
Signs of sleep apnea include:
- Loud snoring
- Episodes where you stop breathing during sleep (witnessed by another person)
- Waking up suddenly with shortness of breath
- Waking up with a dry mouth or sore throat
- Insomnia
- Sleepiness during the day
- Difficulty paying attention
Risk Factors
You’re more likely to have if you’re carrying extra pounds. This is because obstructive sleep apnea happens when soft tissue collapses at the back of your throat, blocking your airway. Patients who have sleep apnea tend to be overweight, white, male, and over 40. However, you don’t have to fit any of these demographics to have sleep apnea.
Our dentist will be able to review your medical history for other risk factors. For example, those who smoke or abuse alcohol are more likely to have sleep apnea later in life. When you first become our patient, we’ll have you fill out a form to describe your medical and dental history.
Treatment
If you suspect you or your partner has sleep apnea, schedule an appointment with our office as soon as possible. We want to understand the cause of your episodes so we can provide the correct sleep apnea treatment.
If you have obstructive sleep apnea, our dentist may recommend a special oral appliance. The sleep apnea device will hold your jaws in a fixed position while you sleep. Not only will an oral appliance help keep your airway clear, but it’ll help you get a better night’s sleep.
Learn More About Sleep Apnea Symptoms
Aren’t sure if you need a sleep apnea device? Dr. Brenton Habecker can provide you with a custom oral appliance for you to wear at night. To request an appointment with our family dentist in Holland, MI, call Macatawa Smiles at (616) 396-7524.
This blog post has been updated.
