SCOTTS VALLEY, SANTA CRUZ CA
If you snore, you might be worried that you have obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). That’s because snoring is the hallmark symptom of this common sleep-breathing disorder affecting millions of Americans. And, if you’ve been told that you snore, then you may start wondering if OSA is the cause. Today on the blog, sleep apnea dentists in Scotts Valley explore what it means to have sleep apnea, and how we can help identify sleep-breathing disorders and provide treatment.
Take a closer look at sleep apnea
Obstructive sleep apnea, often called sleep apnea, is a sleep-breathing disorder resulting in breathing interruptions. In cases of untreated sleep apnea, the airway or throat become blocked from the body’s natural soft tissue, which restricts airflow as you breathe. As air attempts to seep past the blockage, the soft tissue vibrates, causing the infamous snoring sound. So, now you know that snoring isn’t just something that grandpas do. It’s actually a sign that your body is being deprived of oxygen. Once the body clears the airway and resumes breathing, the blockage repeatedly occurs until you wakeup. Each time this process happens, the brain is awakened from a deep sleep. While you may be unaware of these awakenings, your brain is being robbed of the rest and rejuvenation it requires to maintain your health.
Health effects of untreated sleep apnea
If you snore while sleeping, you could have sleep apnea. While snoring is one of the main symptoms of sleep apnea, it isn’t the only one.
Signs that you may have sleep apnea are far-reaching, but may include the following:
- Feeling chronically fatigued
- Experiencing mood swings
- Having difficulty concentrating
- Feeling forgetful
- And more
Some sleep apnea sufferers report a general unwell feeling, which should not be taken lightly. Many general practitioners may bypass sleep apnea as a cause to your feeling unwell, but an airway-focused dentist can help identify the source of your issue.
How dentists help manage sleep apnea
If you snore and have sleep apnea, our Scotts Valley sleep apnea dentists can help by providing comfortable and convenient relief. Don’t want to use a CPAP machine? We don’t blame you! You may already be aware that CPAPs are known as the gold standard of treatment for sleep apnea. While they work, they aren’t practical. Many users report dissatisfaction while using their CPAP, stating the mask irritates their face, is too noisy for their partner, and cumbersome to take when traveling.
Scotts Valley airway-focused dentists at Ebrahimian Integrative Dentistry offer oral appliance therapy to help patients manage sleep apnea and curb their snoring. Oral appliance therapy uses a customized mouthpiece that is worn while sleeping. The appliance holds the lower jaw into the desired position that facilitates an open airway, preventing soft tissue from obstructing your breathing. Wearing an oral appliance is comfortable, it doesn’t make any noise, and is convenient to take with you if you have to spend the night away from home.
Sleep Apnea Treatment in Scotts Valley, Los Gatos, and Santa Cruz
If you are looking for an easy way to stop snoring, or want to learn how to treat sleep apnea without a CPAP, schedule an appointment with Ebrahimian Integrative Dentistry by calling (831) 438-4411 or visit us online. Through a non-invasive exam, our doctors can screen for sleep apnea, and recommend a sleep study for an official diagnosis. It’s time to get the rest that you deserve!