Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) is the most common type of sleep apnea in the United States. According to the American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM), sleep apnea affects 25 million adults in the U.S. alone.
Common symptoms of sleep apnea include snoring, waking with sensations of choking and gasping, a dry mouth or a sore throat on waking, daytime drowsiness, insomnia, and more. And if you recognize these symptoms, you should seek sleep apnea treatment right away. Why? Read on and find out.
Is Sleep Apnea Dangerous?
Yes. In the short term, sleep apnea can lead to daytime drowsiness and poor-quality sleep. This can cause poor concentration and less motivation, as well as raise your risk of serious situations such as car accidents due to dozing while driving. Not getting restful sleep is also harmful to your overall health and mental health.
And in the long term, sleep apnea is associated with a much higher risk of serious, life-threatening health issues like strokes and heart disease. If you don’t get treatment, your risk of a serious heart attack, stroke, or other similar cardiovascular issues will be much higher.
How Is Sleep Apnea Diagnosed?
Sleep apnea must usually be diagnosed by a sleep specialist. These are doctors that specialize in sleep disorders and can identify your sleep apnea, as well as what may be contributing to your condition.
You usually will need to see a sleep specialist for an overnight sleep study. In this process, you’ll stay overnight at a sleep facility with various sensors attached to your body. These will measure your vital signs when you sleep. By checking the data from these sensors, your sleep specialist can provide you with a diagnosis.
However, some sleep specialists can provide you with a device for an at-home sleep study. This is similar, but you’ll attach some sensors and then sleep in your own home. Then, you’ll bring the device back to the sleep specialist so that they can assess your data.
How Can A Dentist Help Treat Sleep Apnea?
Indian Valley dentists like Dr. Spencer Grossman can help treat sleep apnea with Oral Appliance Therapy, also called OAT for short. OAT involves creating a special mouthguard that helps reposition your jaw when you’re sleeping. This prevents the soft tissue of your mouth from sagging into your airway when you sleep.
OAT is a great alternative to other treatments like CPAP (Continuous Positive Airway Pressure) machines. Unlike OAT, CPAP machines are bulky, require constant power, are hard to transport, and can restrict your sleeping position.
The Benefits Of Sleep Apnea Treatment
So, why should you get your sleep apnea treated? Here are just a few benefits of seeking help from a sleep specialist and a dentist in Indian Valley.
- Get restful sleep – OSA prevents you from getting restful sleep, and you may feel tired even if you sleep for 7-8 hours. With the right treatment, you can truly rest and relax at night, and wake up feeling refreshed in the morning.
- Eliminate snoring – Snoring can be difficult for your sleeping partner to deal with. Most sleep apnea treatments help reduce or eliminate snoring altogether, allowing you both to sleep peacefully.
- Protect your overall health – Treating sleep apnea reduces your risk of heart disease and stroke. Proper sleep apnea treatment is also associated with a lower risk of diabetes, cancer, depression, and a reduced risk of many other health issues.
Need Help With Sleep Apnea? Come To Indian Valley Dental Today!
If you’ve been diagnosed with sleep apnea by a sleep specialist, Dr. Grossman and the team at Indian Valley Dental are here to help. With oral appliance therapy, you can treat your OSA without a CPAP machine, and get the restful sleep you need. Contact us online or give Indian Valley Dental a call at (215) 723-5531 to get started.
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