Do you have trouble falling asleep? Do you wake up and experience exhaustion during the day despite feeling like you slept the night before? If so, then you may be suffering from a serious sleep disorder, such as obstructive sleep apnea, or OSA. What can you do to sleep better? With a few simple lifestyle changes and the right treatment, you can once again obtain the deep and rejuvenating rest you need.
Questions About Improving Sleep
Question: How do I know if I have a sleep disorder?
Answer: There are actually quite a few warning signs of sleep apnea. For example, you may wake up gasping or choking a night. You can snore regularly, feel irritable, or have trouble focusing on tasks at work or school. Daytime drowsiness is also a common symptom. Should any of these sound familiar, then seek treatment right away. Otherwise, this disorder has been known to increase the risk of high blood pressure, stroke, and heart attack.
Question: Does my lifestyle impact my ability to sleep?
Answer: Yes. Your daily habits can actually increase the severity of your symptoms, such as sleeping on your back, obesity, consuming alcohol or caffeine before bed, and keeping TVs and other distractions in your bedroom.
Question: How will the doctor treat sleep apnea?
Answer: In order to treat the issue, we may suggest wearing an oral appliance while you sleep. Custom-made and comfortable, the appliance will look similar to a night guard and move the jaw forward slightly. Doing so prevents the collapse of soft tissue in the throat that can causes sleep apnea.
Question: What can I do to sleep better?
Answer: We recommend maintaining a regular sleep schedule, going to bed and waking each day at the same time. You should also consider losing weight and sleeping on your side. Finally, you should make sure your room accommodates good rest. Keep it dark and cool and remove any TVs or computers.
ABOUT YOUR ASTORIA DENTIST
Our Astoria, NY dentist office accepts most major insurance plans. To find out if we accept yours, or to schedule an appointment with Dr. Jeffrey Leibowitz, contact us at (718) 728-8320. We welcome patients living in and around Queens, Astoria, NYC, upstate New York, and New Jersey.
