Sleep Apnea Treatments
Tulsa, OK
Most people have the occasional terrible night of sleep, which leaves them feeling groggy the next morning. They may feel sleepy throughout the day, but they are still able to function properly. However, these nights are few and far between. For millions of Americans, waking up day after day is a challenge. No matter what time they go to bed, they still wake up feeling exhausted. Every day is a struggle to get through. If this sounds familiar, you may be living with a condition called sleep apnea. Smiles of Tulsa can help.
What is Sleep Apnea?
A lot happens when you sleep. Your body goes through two different cycles that it repeats several times. These cycles are essential for allowing your body to rest and recover both physically and mentally. Sleep apnea is a condition that causes you to stop breathing while you sleep, which causes your breathing to pause temporarily. Called apneic episodes, you only stop breathing for a few seconds, but these pauses cause you to wake up. This happens several times throughout the night. Sleep apnea varies in severity from mild to severe. With mild sleep apnea, you stop breathing anywhere from 5 to 14 times per sleeping hour. With severe sleep apnea, you stop breathing more than 30 times per hour.
There are Two Different Types of Sleep Apnea
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Obstructive sleep apnea, or OSA: The most common type of sleep apnea, OSA is caused by a blockage of your airway. This may be your tongue or other oral tissues.
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Central sleep apnea: This type of sleep apnea happens when there is a failure of communication between your brain and the breathing muscles. |
Symptoms Associated with Sleep Apnea
Feeling exhausted when you wake up every morning is just one symptom of sleep apnea. There are several other symptoms that can occur as well:
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Snoring. Many people may not be aware that they snore unless someone has told them so.
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Waking up with a sore or dry throat. This is often a result of snoring.
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Feeling excessively tired during the day.
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Difficulty performing daily tasks. You may find it difficult to focus.
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Trouble staying awake.
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Irritability.
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Trouble controlling emotions.
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Depression.
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Heath problems. When sleep apnea goes untreated for a long time, it can take a toll on your health. It can lead to hypertension, weight gain, or an increase in illnesses. |
How is Sleep Apnea Diagnosed?
To officially diagnose sleep apnea, a sleep study is needed. This can be performed in a sleep clinic or your home. Before you go to sleep, you are hooked up to a computer. The computer monitors and records electrical impulses transmitted by your brain and your muscles. A sleep specialist is then able to read the information and diagnose sleep apnea or another sleep-related illness.
What Treatments are Available?
There are several treatments available for sleep apnea. These treatments include:
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Weight loss.
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Changing your sleep position.
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C-PAP. A common treatment, the C-PAP machine delivers a constant stream of air through a small mask worn over your nose. It helps to keep your airways open while you sleep.
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Oral appliance therapy. We can custom create an oral appliance that helps to hold your jaw in proper alignment, preventing the jaw, and the oral tissues, from sliding back.
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Oral surgery. Surgical procedures are often used in extreme cases. These procedures include moving your jaw forward or removing excess tissue. |
With proper treatment of sleep apnea, you can finally start getting rest when you sleep, which can improve your quality of life and your health. For more information on sleep apnea and how we can help, call Smiles of Tulsa today at (918) 891-3059. |
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