Sleep Apnea

Do you ever feel like no matter how long you sleep, it’s not enough? Does your bed partner complain about your snoring? Are you dozing off in the afternoon or feel you always need to nap? If so, you might be suffering from obstructive sleep apnea.

What is Obstructive Sleep Apnea?
Obstructive sleep apnea is a chronic condition that occurs when your muscles relax during sleep, allowing soft tissue to collapse and block the airway. This can cause you to stop breathing hundreds of times per night for anywhere from a few seconds to more than a minute at a time. These breathing pauses are followed by brief awakenings that disturb the quality of your sleep.

Who has Obstructive Sleep Apnea?
If you think you have sleep apnea, you’re not alone. At least 54 million adults in the United States suffer from sleep apnea. Although sleep apnea can occur at any age, the risk increases as you get older. Other factors that increase the risk of sleep apnea include having excess body weight, a narrow airway, a recessed chin, or a misaligned jaw.

How Do I Know if I Have Sleep Apnea?
Symptoms of obstructive sleep apnea include snoring or choking or gasping sounds. But you can also have sleep apnea, even if you don’t snore frequently or loudly. OSA can cause silent pauses in your breathing, so be on the lookout for these additional symptoms as well:
• Waking in the morning feeling unrefreshed
• Being tired during the day
• Morning headaches
• Waking up frequently at night to go to the bathroom
• Difficulty concentrating or remembering things

What is Oral Appliance Therapy? 
Oral appliances are indicated for use in patients with mild to moderate Obstructive Sleep Apnea who prefer them to CPAP therapy.

Oral appliance therapy uses a mouth guard-like device worn only during sleep to maintain an open, unobstructed airway. The devices prevent the airway from collapsing by supporting the jaw in a forward position. For many, oral appliance devices are more comfortable to wear than a CPAP mask. The devices are also quiet, portable, and easy to care for. Research suggests oral appliance therapy offers a higher patient compliance rate than CPAP.

What if my Sleep Apnea goes untreated?
Untreated sleep apnea has been associated with an increased risk of high blood pressure, heart attack, stroke, diabetes, and obesity.

If you think you may have sleep apnea – don’t worry – Dr. Weber can help.
Schedule a consultation to discuss sleep apnea by calling 614-891-4242