Snoring Prevention
Are you having difficulty breathing or snoring loudly while sleeping? While snoring is a common problem for many people, it can also be a sign of other major health complications. You may have sleep apnea, a common sleep disorder that affects millions of people. Sleep apnea can cause a variety of health problems, including high blood pressure, stroke, heart disease, and diabetes. Snoring affects not only the quality of sleep of the person snoring but also the quality of sleep of their loved ones and other family members. Fortunately, sleep apnea treatment is available to alleviate the symptoms of this condition and improve your overall health.
What is Sleep Apnea?
Sleep apnea is when a person experiences breathing interruptions while sleeping. This can happen hundreds of times a night, leading to fragmented sleep, daytime tiredness, irritability, and difficulty concentrating. There are three types of sleep apnea: obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), central sleep apnea, and complex sleep apnea syndrome. OSA is the most common type, affecting about 84% of people with sleep apnea. It occurs when the airway is partially or completely blocked during sleep, causing a person to snore, gasp, or wake up suddenly.
How is Sleep Apnea Diagnosed?
If you suspect you have sleep apnea, getting a proper diagnosis from a sleep specialist is essential. They may recommend an overnight sleep study to evaluate your breathing patterns, brain activity, and oxygen levels while you sleep. The sleep study results will help determine the severity of your sleep apnea and inform your treatment options.
What are the Treatment Options for Sleep Apnea?
Sleep apnea treatment aims to keep your airway open while you sleep. Several treatments are available for sleep apnea, depending on the severity of your condition. We may treat mild cases of sleep apnea with lifestyle changes, such as losing weight, avoiding alcohol and sedatives, and sleep position changes. We may recommend a CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure) machine for moderate to severe cases. A CPAP machine delivers a constant stream of air pressure through a mask to keep the airway open.
Sometimes, we may recommend an oral appliance, such as a Mandibular Advancement Device (MAD) to treat sleep apnea.
What is a Mandibular Advancement Device?
A mandibular advancement device (MAD) can be the answer to your snoring problems and help you get a better night’s sleep! With the help of this custom-made dental device, you can gently maintain your lower jaw, or mandible, in a forward position. This opens up your airway and facilitates improved breathing, which will help you sleep peacefully through the entire night.
Is a MAD Comfortable?
Yes! You should be able to fall asleep with a mandibular advancement device without even realizing it’s there. It won’t stop you from breathing via your mouth, and it can even stop snoring for those with allergies or sinus congestion.
For the first few mornings after wearing the device, you might feel a little stiffness in your jaw; however, this sensation is only temporary and will go away as you wake up and take the device off.
Sleep Apnea Treatment in Kellogg and Spokane
If you suspect that you have sleep apnea, don’t ignore the symptoms and seek treatment as soon as possible. Treating sleep apnea can improve your quality of life and reduce the risk of severe health problems. Complete Dental Care is here to help you find the proper treatment for your sleep apnea.
To learn more about a mandibular advancement device or any of our quality services, including family dentistry, restorative dentistry, and orthodontics in Idaho and Washington, contact our practice in Kellogg or Spokane. Schedule a consultation with Dr. T.J. Scarborough and Dr. Nick Sampalis. You can also request an appointment online.