Do you have problems with your sleep such as episodes of breath loss, loud snoring, and feeling tired after sleep? You are likely to be suffering from sleep apnea which is a potentially serious sleep disorder. Fortunately, when you seek timely treatment for the sleep disorder you could reduce its symptoms and restore your normal sleep again. Look for experts in sleep apnea in Roslyn who will help you understand your condition. Your condition might arise due to obstruction of the throat muscles when you sleep or if your brain fails to send the signals to the muscles that control breath when asleep.
Symptoms of Sleep Apnea
You might find yourself snoring loudly when suffering from sleep apnea which is accompanied by episodes of lost breath. You may gasp for air during your sleep due to the obstruction of the breathing canals. You could also awake with a dry mouth and headache. You may also find yourself tired during the day due to not receiving the sleep you need at night because of the interruptions of breathing all night long.
Role of Your Dentist in Diagnosis and Treatment of Sleep Apnea
Dentists who are trained in dental sleep medicine could easily diagnose and treat sleep apnea. Your dentist can help you manage the snoring symptoms and other difficulties that arise from sleep apnea using oral appliances. There are two dental devices which your dentist could recommend for the treatment of sleep apnea.
- Mandibular Advancement Devices (MADs)
MADs look like athletic mouth guards which are fitted on both the upper and lower jaws of the patient. The device has a hinge which connects the two trays on both jaws in the center and it helps hold the lower jaw and the tongue firmly in place at night. It also encourages the soft tissues at the back of the mouth to stay in place while you are asleep. The throat thus will stay clear from any obstructions that could affect the airways when you are asleep. Your dentists will customize the MAD to fit your mouth effectively, which increases comfort and effectiveness of the devices.
- Tongue retaining mouthpieces
If you have little jaw flexibility, then a tongue-retaining device could be effective for your condition. These oral devices could keep the tongue firmly in its position while avoiding it from falling back into the airway while you are sleeping.
Health Complications Associated With Sleep Apnea
Although you might only feel tired and get insomnia due to sleep apnea, you could also develop other health complications if the condition goes untreated. It could trigger mental health issues which leads to poor immune functions. It could also contribute to memory loss and other degenerative conditions. Sleep apnea could also increase risk of heart failure. It is essential to seek medical treatment to avoid these complications, even if you have mild symptoms of the condition.
Conclusion
Sleep apnea could reduce the quality of your sleep, leading to sleep insomnia, tiredness, and other health complications. It could trigger mental health issues, poor immune system, memory loss, and risk of heart failure. Your dentist could help diagnose and treat the condition using oral devices that reduce the symptoms of the disorder. If the condition does not improve with the oral devices it may help to get surgical procedures and medications that deal with the disorder.
