How much do you snore? Do you know? Your spouse and kids certainly do. Unfortunately, snoring does more than disrupt a quiet household. It has serious health effects as a symptom of sleep apnea in Huber Heights. James Striebel DDS helps people with the diagnosis of sleep apnea with comfortable and effective Somnodent oral appliances. They allow people to rest and enjoy better health.
What is Sleep Apnea, and Who Gets It?
This sleep disorder is characterized by excessively loud snoring and repeated episodes of interrupted breathing. Consequently, individuals suffer oxygen deprivation which makes them wake multiple times per night, gasping for air. Besides poor rest, sleep apnea affects those who sleep close by. Additionally, patients exhibit daytime symptoms of:
- Chronic fatigue
- Drowsiness
- Irritability
- Dry mouth
- Morning headaches
- Mood swings
- Depression
- Memory issues
- Problems with concentration
Sleep apnea plays a role in systemic health issues, too, such as Type-2 diabetes, hypertension, stroke, obesity and more. In short, sleep apnea is nothing to ignore.
According to the National Sleep Foundation, sleep apnea affects millions of Americans, including men, women and children. Men over the age of 40 are more prone to this sleep disorder as are people with large necks, enlarged tonsils, and weight problems or are individuals who smoke or abuse alcohol.
Types of Sleep Apnea
There are 3 basic kinds of sleep apnea:
- Obstructive Sleep Apnea, or OSA, in which the soft tissues at the back of the throat relax and collapse over the airway, causing vibration (snoring) and blockage of airflow
- Central Sleep Apnea, or CSA, in which the brain does not properly communicate with the respiratory system and neglects to “tell” it to breathe
- Mixed Sleep Apnea which combines both of the other types
A person who exhibits signs of sleep apnea should tell his or her primary care physician who, in turn, may recommend seeing a sleep specialist for in-office or at-home monitoring, diagnosis and treatment.
Treatment of Sleep Apnea
Many sleep doctors recommend CPAP Machines for treatment of sleep apnea. CPAP stands for Continuous Positive Airway Pressure. This bedside apparatus keeps the airway open by delivering a constant flow of oxygen into the patient’s airway via a nasal mask.
Unfortunately, some people find the noise of CPAP intolerable, or they may be claustrophobic and cannot tolerate wearing the mask. These patients, and others with simple OSA, can benefit from a custom-made acrylic “snore guard.”
Dr. Striebel offers SomnoDent oral devices as a great treatment for OSA. These FDA-cleared appliances comfortably position the lower mandible, or jawbone, forward, opening the airway and keeping it open. Used alone or with CPAP, SomnoDent snore guards are less invasive, easier to tolerate and very effective in treating snoring and its harmful effects.
Do You Snore?
If your spouse and kids say you snore consistently, don’t delay. Spare your sleep, your interpersonal relationships and your overall health with a consultation with Dr. James Strievel. He is a member of the American Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine and an expert on sleep apnea and snore appliances. Contact his office staff today to arrange your personal consultation.