Sleep Apnea Treatment in Cypress, TX
Have you been told that you snore heavily and perhaps even stop breathing for brief moments during your sleep?
For many, snoring is simply an annoyance to themselves or, more often, their bed partner. However, snoring can be a sign of a serious medical condition known as obstructive sleep apnea.
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What is Sleep Apnea?
Sleep apnea is a pretty common condition in which a person stops breathing for a few seconds several times during their sleep. These brief moments without oxygen can lead to serious medical conditions while also causing excessive fatigue and overall poor sleep quality.
The most common type of sleep apnea is obstructive sleep apnea which occurs when the upper airway becomes blocked while you sleep, usually from excess soft tissue in the neck and back of the throat, thus getting in the way of or completely blocking the flow of air.
Sleep Apnea will typically cause heavy, loud snoring with frequent breaks in breathing but unfortunately, left untreated it can lead to many serious medical conditions, including:
- high blood pressure
- heart disease
- depression
- anxiety
- sexual dysfunction
- headaches
- poor performance at work
- cognitive impairment such as forgetfulness, irritability, and trouble concentrating
How is Sleep Apnea Treated?
Once a physician or other healthcare professional has tested and diagnosed you with sleep apnea, a variety of therapies will likely be discussed.
First, lifestyle changes are strongly recommended. These include:
- quitting smoking
- weight loss if needed
- avoiding alcohol, especially before bedtime
- sleeping on your side
When lifestyle modifications are not enough to improve the symptoms of sleep apnea, other therapies can be considered.
Here at Luck Dental Care, in Cypress, TX, Dr. David Luck is proud to offer treatment for those who suffer from sleep apnea in the form of oral appliances.
Like specialized mouthguards, oral appliances (OA), help keep the upper airway open during sleep, thus decreasing the chances of blockage. This in turn reduces snoring and apneic events (those moments without oxygen). Oral appliances work primarily by moving the mandible forward thus changing the position of the soft palate, pulling back the tongue, or a combination of these actions.
Oral appliances are a great option for those who have mild cases of sleep apnea and who didn’t find much success with lifestyle changes. Oral appliances are non-invasive, easy to use, and highly effective when used properly and regularly.
If you suffer from sleep apnea and wonder if an oral appliance would be a good fit for you, contact Luck Dental Care in Cypress, TX today! Dr. Luck and his team would be more than happy to discuss your options and find the right solution for you.
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