It is hard to thrive when you are not getting enough sleep. You will feel sluggish, irritable, and can even become more susceptible to illnesses. If you constantly wake up exhausted — despite spending an appropriate amount of time in bed — you might suffer from Sleep Apnea. In today’s blog, your Olathe, KS, dentists discuss the details of this disorder and the ways we can help treat it.
What Is Sleep Apnea?
It occurs while you are asleep and when the muscles in the back of your throat relax excessively, causing you to stop breathing momentarily. This prompts your brain to quickly wake up and for you to gasp for air. When this occurs, your sleep cycle is interrupted. Interestingly, you probably won’t even know that you are waking up, which can make this disorder difficult to diagnose. One of the most common symptoms of Sleep Apnea is excessive snoring, but unless you live with someone, you might not know it is occurring.
The cycle of falling asleep and waking up can happen over a hundred times each night. Because you are not aware this is happening, you will often wake up feeling extremely tired — even if you are seemingly asleep for eight hours. Those who suffer from it have a hard time staying awake and functioning to their highest ability.
Relief Through an Appliance
If you think you might have this condition, we can provide you with a home sleep study that will measure your level of sleep, blood oxygen levels, and more to determine if you’re suffering from sleep apnea. If you are, we can create a custom-made sleep appliance to wear at night while you are in bed. It comfortably fits in your mouth and allows your airways to stay open, which ensures you are getting enough air while you sleep. This ultimately promotes much more restful sleep because you will no longer be waking up throughout the night.
Surgical Options
In more severe, complex cases, you might also benefit from Sleep Apnea surgery. If your dentist or dental surgeon determines this is the best route, they can trim the excess tissues in your airways to stop them from blocking airflow. In this case, you won’t need an appliance or a CPAP machine. Again, this is only done in more extreme cases, but it can certainly improve the quality of life for those who qualify.
Contact Us to Learn More About Sleep Apnea
If you think you might have this condition, we can help. Do not lose out on sufficient sleep any longer. Please do not hesitate to reach out to us. Schedule a dental consultation by calling E-Care Dentistry, PA in Olathe, KS, today at 913-210-1701. We also proudly serve patients from Overland Park, Lenexa, and all surrounding communities.