Obstructive sleep apnea is a sleep disorder that causes an individual to stop breathing for short periods during their sleep, sometimes hundreds of times in one night. It is caused by airway obstruction in the soft tissues in the back of the throat or the tonsils collapsing during sleep.
Most individuals with obstructive sleep apnea wake up dozens or even hundreds of times a night gasping for air. When the brain does not receive enough oxygen during the night, it can make you feel exhausted the next day. The effects of obstructive sleep apnea can cause other problems, including high blood pressure, stroke, diabetes, depression, and headaches.
If you or someone in your family has obstructive sleep apnea symptoms, it is essential to seek treatment for this condition and understand how treatment works. At Paradigm Dental, we will review your treatment options and help you decide which one is best for your situation and lifestyle.
The Symptoms of Sleep Apnea
- Loud snoring
- Breathing pauses while sleeping
- Excessive daytime sleepiness
- Mood changes
- Headaches or migraines
Treatment Options for Sleep Apnea
If you have sleep apnea, our doctor may recommend treatment with a CPAP machine or oral appliance. Our dentist will complete a few tests to determine which treatment option is best for you. First, they will ask for your medical history and go through your list of medications to assess if you have any underlying illnesses contributing to your sleep apnea.
The dentist may also recommend changing your sleeping position or using pillows to help open up your airways while sleeping. These tips may be enough to treat mild cases of sleep apnea, but in more severe cases, you may require a custom-designed oral appliance to help keep your airways open at night. The most severe cases require a continuous positive airway pressure device (CPAP), which uses pressurized air to keep your airways open as you sleep.
Surgical options are available in cases of severe sleep apnea or if other treatments fail to provide relief. Surgery may be recommended to help reduce the size of the tongue or correct issues with the structure of the upper airway. Removing excess tissue at the back of the throat may help alleviate snoring and improve breathing at night.
It’s essential to seek treatment for sleep apnea as soon as possible to avoid developing long-term health problems. Contact Paradigm Dental at 3970 SW Mercantile Dr. Lake Oswego, Oregon 97035, or call (503) 626-7323 to learn more about your options for sleep apnea treatment!
