Sleep Apnea Treatment
Vancouver, WA
 Waking up in the morning feeling rested and refreshed is a great feeling. However, for many Americans, this feeling seems elusive. No matter what time you go to bed, you wake up feeling exhausted, like you never went to sleep at all. Sleep apnea is a common condition that causes poor sleep night after night. This condition not only affects the quality of your sleep, but it can also affect your mental, emotional, and physical wellbeing. If your life is being impacted by sleep apnea, Alder Dental can help.
What is Sleep Apnea?
Sleep apnea is a condition that affects your breathing while you sleep. Normal sleep consists of several cycles. For sleep to restore your body, it needs to go through all of these cycles. When you have sleep apnea, your normal sleep cycles are interrupted. Sleep apnea causes you to stop breathing for several seconds, several times a night. Every time you stop breathing, you wake up, even if you are completely unaware, and your body needs to restart its sleep cycles all over again. Sleep apnea ranges in severity from mild, breathing stops 5 to 14 times per sleeping hour, to severe, where you stop breathing 30 or more times per sleeping hour. Because of this, you find yourself waking up in the morning often feeling more tired than when you went to bed.
There are a few different types of sleep apnea. Obstructive sleep apnea occurs when the airway becomes blocked. Central sleep apnea occurs when there is a miscommunication between the brain and the muscles that control breathing. Complex sleep apnea is a mixture of the two. Over time, sleep apnea can have serious consequences on your mental, emotional, and even your physical health. Eventually, you could be faced with issues such as hypertension, heart disease, diabetes, weight gain, and more.
Sleep Apnea Symptoms
Even if you don’t know that you are continually waking up while you sleep, there are several symptoms that can point to sleep apnea. One of the most common symptoms is snoring. Unless you have been told you snore, however, you may be completely unaware that it happens. There are also several other symptoms that can present themselves. These symptoms include such things as excessive daytime sleepiness, falling asleep during the day, trouble concentrating, forgetfulness, irritability, trouble controlling emotions, and difficulty making decisions.
Sleep Apnea Treatments
Before receiving treatment for sleep apnea, it is important that the condition be diagnosed. We can help to identify and diagnose the issue and can determine the best treatment options for your specific situation. Treatments for sleep apnea often vary based on the severity of your condition. Mild sleep apnea treatments may consist of changes in sleep position, elevating your head, opening your nasal passageways (using nasal strips, saline, or a nasal dilator), or exercise and weight loss.
For moderate to severe sleep apnea, other interventions may be required. A sleep expert may need to be consulted. A CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure) machine may be recommended. This machine uses a nasal mask to deliver positive air pressure while you sleep. Supplemental oxygen may be needed. We can also help with an oral appliance. This device is similar in appearance to a mouth guard. It is a custom fit device that sits over your top teeth and is designed to hold your jaw in proper alignment. In doing so, it prevents your lower jaw, and your oral tissues, from sliding backward, keeping your airway open.
With proper treatment, your sleep apnea can be managed, and you can finally get the restful sleep you need to restore your mind and your body. For more information, read more about what sleep apnea is and call Alder Dental at (360) 831-0831 today!
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