Sleep Apnea and Snoring Solutions in Carlsbad
Your body requires sleep in order to remain healthy, but many individuals are unable to get a good night’s sleep due to disorders known as sleep apnea and snoring. We all have moments in our lives that are filled with one sleepless night after another, yet some people believe that they are sleeping all night only to wake in the morning feeling exhausted.
Sleep Apnea Treatment from your Dentist
While your first instinct may be to consult with your family physician regarding your trouble sleeping, sleep apnea is in fact a dental problem that requires the attention of a qualified dentist. At Carlsbad Village Dentistry, we are proud to offer effective sleep apnea and snoring solutions to our Carlsbad patients.
Snoring occurs when air is unable to move freely through your nose and mouth during sleep. This can be caused by a narrowing of the airway from abnormalities of the soft tissues in the throat, as well as the position of your tongue and/or poor posture during sleep. What many people do not realize is that in addition to poor sleep, fatigue and irritability, snoring can lead to increased health problems.
What is Sleep Apnea?
A common reason for snoring is a potentially dangerous disorder called sleep apnea. Sufferers of this condition will typically have one or more pauses in their breathing while they sleep. These pauses can last upward of several minutes before normal breathing resumes, often occurring repeatedly throughout the night, pulling the person in and out of deep sleep with each pause.
While sleep apnea can only be diagnosed by your doctor, potential symptoms are as follows:
- Snoring
- Restless sleep
- Waking up often at night
- Insomnia
- Waking with a sore and/or dry throat
- Waking up with a choking or gasping sensation
- Sleepiness while driving
- Morning headaches
- Daytime sleepiness/lethargy
- Forgetfulness
- Mood changes
How we can Help with Your Sleep Apnea
Once you are professionally diagnosed with sleep apnea, there are several possible treatment plans to consider. Weight loss, exercise, and good sleep hygiene are proactive steps that you can begin immediately. However, since sleep apnea can pose a serious danger to your health, you should not stop there. An effective treatment option for some patients is a pressurized air generated delivery system, called a CPAP (Continuous Positive Airway Pressure), worn during sleep. In extreme cases, surgery may be a viable solution.
At our office, Dr. Dudzik is a certified provider of Oral Appliance Therapy to patients suffering from sleep apnea and/or snoring. These oral appliances, similar to orthodontic retainers, are custom designed and fitted to you. Worn during sleep, the appliance helps maintain an open, unobstructed airway, thereby abating the pauses in your breathing and restoring normal sleep quality.
To learn more about our sophisticated sleep apnea and snoring solutions in Carlsbad, CA, please do not hesitate to contact the office of Carlsbad Village Dentistry today. Our team is looking forward to helping you achieve the healthy, restful sleep that you want and need.
