What Causes Obstructive Sleep Apnea?

Sleep apnea impacts millions of people in the United States, and without treatment can lead to serious problems for your overall health. But what causes sleep apnea, and how do you know when to seek treatment? Our Mansfield, TX dental office discusses how we diagnose and treat sleep apnea to help you rest with ease again!

The Factors Behind Sleep Apnea

With sleep apnea, you actually stop brushing multiple times in the night. This is because the soft tissues in the back of your mouth and in the throat become too relaxed and collapse, which obstructs airflow. The brain registers the drop in oxygen and wakes you, and while you may not remember this happening, it can occur hundreds of times in a single night. You REM sleep interruptions leave you feeling exhausted and could even strain your immune system and heart health too. Common factors behind the disorder include large neck circumferences, obesity, sinus and allergy issues, deviated septum, and sleep habits. Excessive alcohol consumption can be a factor too. While this can impact all ages and gender, men 55 and older tend to be a higher risk.

Common Warning Signs

With the disorder, you may snore on a frequent basis or wake suddenly in the night gasping for air or choking. You could wake with dry mouth and experience headaches during the day. Other warning signs include moodiness, trouble with memory, and issues concentrating on tasks at work or school. Daytime drowsiness is frequent too. When one or more of these potential warning signs begin to impact your quality of life, we urge you to see us for a diagnosis. We can conduct one from the comfort of your own home with a special device, and even order lab sleep studies as needed. A board-certified sleep physician will interpret the results and help decide on the best course of action to help you rest easy again.

Treatment

While a CPAP machine can be effective, many find it difficult to use, loud, and cumbersome. Which is why we’re so proud to offer a simple alternative. With an oral appliance, one custom-made for your smile, you wear a device that fits like a mouthguard as you sleep. The device then gently moves your jaw and tongue forward to prevent the collapse of soft tissues, so you breathe freely and without obstruction, feeling more rested and alert the next day. The device is easy to maintain and use, and can travel with you too.

If you have any questions about how we diagnose and treat sleep apnea, contact our team today.

Talk To Your Mansfield, TX, Office About Treating Your Disorder

We want to help you avoid the dangers of an untreated sleep disorder! To find out more about finding the right solution for a sleep disorder, call our Mansfield, TX, dental office today at (817) 592-8475.