Sleep Apnea Needs Treatment to Reduce the Effects and Dangers We Can Help
Posted on 8/15/2024 by Rai Oral Surgery and Dental Implants
Sleep apnea is a serious sleep disorder that occurs when your breathing repeatedly stops and starts while you sleep. These pauses in breathing can last from a few seconds to a few minutes, and they can occur dozens of times per hour.
Sleep apnea is a common problem, affecting millions of people worldwide. It can cause a variety of health problems, including:
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Daytime fatigue
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Headaches
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Irritability
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Concentration problems
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Increased risk of accidents
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High blood pressure
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Heart disease
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Stroke
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Depression
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Type 2 diabetes
If you think you might have sleep apnea, it is important to see a doctor to get diagnosed and treated. Treatment for sleep apnea usually involves using a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machine. A CPAP machine delivers pressurized air through a mask that you wear while you sleep. The pressurized air keeps your airway open, preventing the pauses in breathing that cause sleep apnea.
Here at our practice, we are committed to providing our patients with the best possible care, including treatment for sleep apnea. We offer a variety of treatment options, including CPAP therapy, oral appliance therapy, and surgical options. We will work with you to develop a treatment plan that is right for you.
In addition to treating sleep apnea, we also offer a variety of other oral care services, including:
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Restorative dentistry
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Dental implants
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Cosmetic dentistry
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Pediatric dentistry
We are dedicated to helping our patients achieve and maintain a healthy smile. If you are looking for a dentist who can provide you with the care you need, please contact us today.
What is Sleep Apnea?
Sleep apnea is a sleep disorder that causes you to stop breathing repeatedly during your sleep. These pauses in breathing can last from a few seconds to a few minutes and can occur dozens of times per hour.
There are three main types of sleep apnea:
1~
Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is the most common type of sleep apnea. It occurs when the muscles in the back of your throat relax and block your airway.
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Central sleep apnea (CSA) occurs when your brain doesn't send the proper signals to your muscles to breathe.
3~
Mixed sleep apnea is a combination of obstructive and central sleep apnea.
What are the Symptoms of Sleep Apnea?
The most common symptoms of sleep apnea include:
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Loud snoring
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Gasping or choking during sleep
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Pauses in breathing during sleep
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Daytime fatigue
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Headaches
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Irritability
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Concentration problems
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Increased risk of accidents
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High blood pressure
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Heart disease
•
Stroke
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Depression
•
Type 2 diabetes
What are the Effects of Untreated Sleep Apnea?
Untreated sleep apnea can have a number of serious health consequences, including:
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Heart disease: Sleep apnea can increase your risk of developing heart disease, including heart attack and stroke.
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High blood pressure: Sleep apnea can also increase your risk of developing high blood pressure.
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Stroke: Sleep apnea can increase your risk of having a stroke.
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Diabetes: Sleep apnea can increase your risk of developing type 2 diabetes.
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Depression: Sleep apnea can also increase your risk of developing depression.
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Accidents: Sleep apnea can make it more difficult to concentrate and can increase your risk of having an accident.
How is Sleep Apnea Diagnosed?
Sleep apnea is diagnosed with a sleep study. A sleep study is an overnight test that monitors your breathing, heart rate, and brain activity while you sleep. The sleep study can help your doctor determine if you have sleep apnea and what type of sleep apnea you have.
How is Sleep Apnea Treated?
There are a number of different treatment options available for sleep apnea, including:
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Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy: CPAP therapy is the most common treatment for sleep apnea. It involves wearing a mask that delivers pressurized air to your airway while you sleep. The pressurized air keeps your airway open, preventing the pauses in breathing that cause sleep apnea.
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Oral appliance therapy: Oral appliance therapy involves wearing a custom-made mouthpiece that helps to keep your airway open while you sleep. Oral appliances are often used as an alternative to CPAP therapy for people who find CPAP therapy uncomfortable or difficult to use.
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Surgery: Surgery is rarely used to treat sleep apnea. However, it may be an option for people who have severe sleep apnea or who do not respond to other treatments.
What Can I Do to Help Myself?
There are a number of things you can do to help yourself if you have sleep apnea, including:
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Lose weight: If you are overweight or obese, losing weight can help to improve your sleep apnea.
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Avoid alcohol and caffeine: Alcohol and caffeine can make sleep apnea worse.
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Sleep on your side: Sleeping on your side can help to keep your airway open.
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Quit smoking: Smoking can increase your risk of developing sleep apnea.
We Can Help
If you think you might have sleep apnea, please contact us today. We can help you get diagnosed and treated so that you can start feeling better and living a healthier life.
Our Blog | Rai Oral Surgery & Dental Implants | Virginia Beach Shaun B. Rai DMD has created this informative blog to help educate the community. Please read below and then call us today! Rai Oral Surgery and Dental Implants, 933 First Colonial Road #205, Virginia Beach, VA 23454 - (757) 777-9883 - raioralsurgery.com - 12/1/2024 - Associated Words: oral surgeon Virginia Beach VA -
Sleep apnea is a serious sleep disorder that occurs when your breathing repeatedly stops and starts while you sleep. These pauses in breathing can last from a few seconds to a few minutes, and they can occur dozens of times per hour.