
Jan
High on the list of the sounds no one wants to hear is the raucous snoring of a sleeping partner. However, that annoying sound can be more than just a mere inconvenience—it can be life-threatening. Chronic snoring can indicate obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), a sleep disorder that disrupts your breathing when sleeping.
Do you suspect sleep apnea? Montclair Dental Care offers sleep apnea treatment in Oakland, California, using simple yet effective solutions. Reclaim your sleep and health today by scheduling an appointment with Dr. Kenneth L. Childers.
Sleep apnea causes stop-and-start breathing cycles when sleeping. These apneic episodes can recur several times at night, so you never reach your sleep’s deep, restorative level. Sleep apnea causes chronic fatigue, constant headaches, and other unpleasant symptoms. Worse yet, sleep apnea increases the risk of heart disease, stroke, diabetes, and other systemic conditions.
If you have sleep apnea, you need quick relief to prevent health complications. Here is what you need to know about sleep apnea treatments.
The CPAP machine is considered the “gold standard” for treating obstructive sleep apnea. A CPAP machine gently blows air into the airway through a mask attached to the nose and mouth. The CPAP machine supports healthy breathing when sleeping, reducing sleep apnea symptoms.
CPAPs work for sleep apnea, but many patients stop using them during treatment. Many complain that the CPAP device is noisy, bulky, and cumbersome to maintain. The CPAP machine is also challenging to travel with and can be claustrophobic.
Can’t tolerate CPAP therapy? We have a simple yet effective sleep apnea treatment. Dr. Childers uses oral appliance therapy to treat mild to moderate OSA. This treatment involves using a custom retainer-like device to treat OSA. This sleep apnea device repositions the lower jaw, creating more space in the airway. When the wearer lies down, the tongue and other tissues don’t collapse into the airway.
Many patients love oral appliance therapy because it’s portable, discreet, and easy to use and maintain. The device is also noiseless and doesn’t need electricity to operate.
Sometimes, it takes a tweak in your lifestyle choices to combat sleep apnea. That can include cutting back on alcohol, losing weight, and quitting smoking. Also, changing the sleeping position can improve sleep apnea symptoms. Sleep on the side of the stomach instead of the back. An optimal position keeps your airway open and reduces the likelihood of your tongue or soft tissues collapsing. Several devices are available to help you maintain an optimal sleeping position.
Rarely does sleep apnea need surgery. Montclair Dental Care offers non-invasive solutions for sleep apnea. Do you need to reclaim your quality sleep and health? If you suspect obstructive sleep apnea, Dr. Childers provides effective solutions in Oakland and the surrounding locations. Call (510) 328-7792 and reserve an appointment.