Sleep Apnea: Causes, Symptoms & Treatment Los Angeles, CA

Sleep Apnea Sufferers Can Find Relief With A Simple Dental Device

Sleep apnea afflicts more than one in five adults, though 90% don’t even know they have it, despite its main symptom being loud snoring. As many as 92% of middle-aged men and 83% of middle-aged women may have a moderate to severe case of this life-threatening disorder that has been undiagnosed.

Sleep apnea not only interferes with the individual’s sound sleep but keeps her or his partner awake.

Sleep Apnea

 

EXPERT SLEEP APNEA CLINIC IN LOS ANGELES

OTHER SIGNS CAN INCLUDE:

  • Insomnia
  • Frequent need to urinate during the night.
  • Migraine headaches in the morning.
  • Waking with a “choking” sensation, “cotton mouth,” or a sore throat.
  • Inability to concentrate and poor memory.
  • Drowsiness during the day.
  • Depression, anxiety, or irritability.
  • Reduced reaction time.

Sleep apnea can also be a factor in the risk of diabetes, weight gain, high blood pressure, stroke, heart failure, Alzheimer’s disease, erectile dysfunction, and lowered sex drive. It impairs driving ability and is a major cause of car accidents.

An apnea is a pause for one or more breaths, which can last as long as 90 seconds or occur as many as 100 times an hour, depriving the body of the oxygen needed to regenerate cells. There are two types of and some people have both:

Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) is most common and is due to a physical blockage of the airway. The lung muscles work properly, but the blockage is due to a large tongue or increased soft tissue in the upper throat has collapsed when the throat muscles relax during sleep.

Central Sleep Apnea (CSA) is due to a lack of respiratory effort when the brain fails to transmit proper signals to the muscles that control breathing.

The body’s reaction to both types is to get more oxygen by partially waking up and gasping for air, which can happen 10 to 100 times an hour, disrupting sleep. The sufferer goes back to sleep briefly, unaware of what happened.

The conventional medical treatment is for the patient to wear a device called a CPAP, which involves wearing a mask and lying on your back all night. It is also expensive.

Fortunately, Wilshire Smile Studio has experts who can provide much more comfortable and less expensive alternatives. CSA usually requires a prescription, which our dentists can write for a drug to manage the symptoms. OSA may need surgery, which can be performed by our oral surgeon.

Both types can benefit from a dental appliance that is like a custom-made mouth guard, which helps keep the jaw in a position to prevent apneas. This is usually covered by Medicare and insurance plans.

For a diagnosis and consultation, as soon as possible call 323-DENTIST (336-8478).

Sleep apnea treatment has various options to improve breathing during sleep and reduce the associated symptoms, such as loud snoring, daytime fatigue, and disrupted sleep. Treatment for sleep apnea can range from lifestyle changes, such as weight loss and avoiding alcohol and sedatives, to more advanced treatments, such as continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy or oral appliances.

Dentists play a critical role in sleep apnea treatment, particularly in cases where oral appliances are used. Oral appliances are custom-made devices worn during sleep to help keep the airway open and prevent the collapse of the soft tissues in the throat that cause sleep apnea. Dentists specializing in sleep apnea treatment evaluate patients to determine the best oral appliance for their needs. They will consider factors such as the severity of sleep apnea, the patient’s jaw and tooth structure, and other underlying dental or medical conditions. Once an oral appliance has been prescribed, the dentist will work closely with the patient to ensure a proper fit and monitor the appliance’s effectiveness in reducing the symptoms of sleep apnea.

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