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Treating Sleep Apnea in Longview

April 24, 2018

Filed under: Uncategorized — Tags: — longviewdentalcenter @ 9:39 pm

sleeping coupleThere are lots of reasons why people don’t sleep well: a late night at work, cable television, the allure of social media and a new baby to name only a few. For some people, however, sleepless nights are because of a sleep disorder, the most common of which is sleep apnea. Some 20 million American adults have sleep apnea and an estimated 80 percent of those are not diagnosed. Unfortunately, sleep loss isn’t the only problem—there are several general health consequences. Fortunately, treating sleep apnea in Longview can be rather convenient with a custom-fitted oral appliance. Read on to learn more about sleep apnea, the symptoms and consequences and the treatment.

What is Sleep Apnea?

Obstructive sleep apnea is the most common form of this medical condition. In this case, the soft tissue in your throat along with your tongue falls back and blocks your airway. Then, the oxygen level in your bloodstream drops and your nervous system signals the brain to awaken the body in order to restart breathing. These episodes of sleep apnea can happen dozens of times during the night. The cumulative effect can amount to hours of lost sleep each week.

What are the Signs and Symptoms of Sleep Apnea?

Loud snoring is often the first sign of sleep apnea. This annoying sound happens when the tissue in your throat vibrates as you try to breathe. However, snoring does not necessarily mean there will be a diagnosis of sleep apnea. See your dentist in Longview to know for sure.

Other common symptoms of sleep apnea are:

  • Pauses in breathing that restarts with a cough or a snort
  • A headache when you awaken
  • A dry mouth or sore throat in the morning
  • Daytime fatigue
  • Moodiness and irritability

What are the General Health Consequences of Sleep Apnea?

In addition to these troublesome symptoms, untreated sleep apnea is associated with several health concerns. Among these are cardiovascular conditions such as hypertension (high blood pressure), heart attack and stroke. Also, diabetes, dementia and depression have all been linked to sleep apnea.

Treating Sleep Apnea in Longview

For many years, a CPAP machine was the only method of treatment for sleep apnea. Now, however, there are convenient and comfortable oral appliances called snoreguards. These are custom-fitted and when worn nightly can help keep your airway open so you can breathe more easily during sleep.

If you’re experiencing any of the symptoms of sleep apnea, or if you’re being kept awake by a loud snorer, call Longview Dental Center to schedule an appointment for diagnosis and treatment.

 

About the Author

George R. Stoddard, DDS graduated from Sam Houston State University and then went on to earn his Doctor of Dental Surgery degree from the University of Texas Health Science Center in San Antonio. He has over 25 years of experience in the dentistry profession and continues to care for his patients at Longview Dental Center. He can be reached for more information through his website.

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