Snoring is something most people experience at some point in their lives. It can commonly be caused by a certain sleep position, a head cold or allergies. But, for some, snoring can be a chronic sleep disruption for themselves and their sleep partners. It can also be a symptom of sleep apnea. Continue reading below for more information on how our dentist at River City Dental & Implant Center can help. If you want to set up a visit with Dr. Amechi Echetebu and learn more about sleep apnea treatment in Germantown, Tennessee, and surrounding areas, including East Memphis, Eads, Cordova, Bartlett and Covington, please call 901-755-6440.
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Understanding Obstructive Sleep Apnea
Interrupted and paused breathing while you sleep are the defining characteristics of sleep apnea. When this is caused by obstructions in your airway, it is called obstructive sleep apnea. Some examples of obstructions include the tongue rolling to the back on the throat and collapsed tissue in the airway. There are serious health conditions that sleep apnea can contribute to, including heart disease, high blood pressure and liver problems.
Signs of Sleep Apnea
A sleep physician must be the one to diagnose sleep apnea, but we recommend that you talk with our dentist as well. Some common symptoms of sleep apnea include:
- Extreme daytime drowsiness
- Changes in personality and increased irritability
- Interrupted sleep
- Snoring
- Dry or sore throat when waking up
- Frequent morning headaches
Risk Factors for Sleep Apnea
Anyone can potentially develop sleep apnea. However, there are certain risk factors that increase your risk, including:
- A naturally narrow airway
- Large tonsils or adenoids
- Excess weight
- Smoking
- Diabetes
- Asthma
- A family history of sleep apnea
CPAP Alternative
The severity of the condition will affect the kind of sleep apnea treatment used. For patients suffering mild to moderate sleep apnea, our dentist can offer treatment using a simple oral appliance. This appliance will fit over the patient’s teeth and keep their airway open while they sleep. These appliances work by keeping the tongue in place so that it cannot block the airway or by holding your jaw in a position that prevents the tissue in your airway from collapsing. If you would like to learn more about sleep apnea treatment, we encourage you to call or visit our dental office today. We love to help our patients improve their health!
For more information about sleep apnea treatment, please follow the links provided below:
901-755-6440