Do you often struggle to stay awake? If so, your daily exhaustion could be related to a disorder known as obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). We have a comfortable and noninvasive solution for sleep apnea, one that doesn’t rely on a cumbersome CPAP machine. In today’s blog, your Astoria, NY, dentist talks about treating OSA.
The Causes of OSA
People with sleep apnea lose sleep because they stop breathing for several seconds multiple times a night, which happens as soft tissues collapse and block airflow. The brain will take note of the drop in oxygen and wake you. Even though you may not remember this happening, it can occur hundreds of times in a night and interrupt your sleep cycle to leave you exhausted. Common factors include large neck circumference, sinus and allergy issues, deviated septum, obesity, and while teens and adults of all ages and genders could develop OSA, men 55 and older are at a higher risk.
Common Indicators of Poor Rest
When should you contact our team about possible solutions? We recommend contacting our practice when you notice daytime drowsiness, waking up in the night struggling to breathe or gasping for air, dry mouth, headaches, irritability, and trouble focusing on tasks at work or school. If one or more of these potential symptoms sounds familiar to you, then we suggest giving us a call right away to discuss possible solutions. We will examine your smile with advanced imaging systems to assess the risks of airflow blockage. A personalized treatment plan is then created to bring relief and help you rest with ease.
Possible Solutions
While a CPAP machine is effective, they’re often difficult for people to use and many just forgo them completely. Which is why we’re happy to offer a noninvasive and more comfortable alternative in the form of an oral appliance. Essentially, this device will look and fit like a mouthguard, and is worn as you rest. The device is custom-made for your smile, fitting comfortably and shifting the jaw to keep airways open while you sleep. You avoid interruptions to your REM cycle, and feel more rested and alert the next day. You can also help by resting on your side instead of your back, avoiding large meals, exercise, or excessive alcohol in the two hours before bed, and maintaining a regular sleep schedule too.
If you have any questions about how we treat OSA and bring relief, then contact our team today to learn more.
Your Astoria, NY, Dentist Offers Better Rest
With oral appliance therapy we can help correct the causes of your OSA. To learn more about addressing trouble sleeping at night, then schedule a consultation by calling Jeffrey Leibowitz, DDS, in Astoria, NY, today at 718-728-8320.
