You snore, perhaps even choke while sleeping and wake up — maybe several times a night. Fact is, you lack oxygen while sleeping and stop breathing. Even after hours of sleep, you wake up tired, and feel fatigued throughout the day, lacking focus and concentration.
If you’re one of 22 million Americans who suffer from sleep apnea, you’re not getting a restful night sleep — or “restorative sleep,” which allows the brain and body systems to be repaired, heal and grow.
Untreated sleep apnea can lead to serious health issues, including increased risk of heart disease and high blood pressure. It can contribute to obesity and diabetes as well as memory loss. But what exactly is sleep apnea?
Sleep apnea defined
The Greek word “apnea” means “without breath” — and for many, that’s exactly how it feels while they’re asleep. (https://www.sleepapnea.org)
There are two types of sleep apnea.
- Obstructive sleep apnea — one’s upper airway becomes blocked repeatedly during sleep, reducing or completely stopping airflow.
- Central sleep apnea — a person’s brain doesn’t send the signals needed to breathe.
Whichever type of sleep apnea you may have, there is hope — thanks to innovative technology and Dental Health Partners.
Good news! Dental Health Partners can help
Dental Health Partners is proud to offer a new treatment option, Oral Sleep Appliances (OSA), that can be easier to use and more comfortable than a C-PAP machine.
Here’s what the American Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine (https://aadsm.org) has to say about oral sleep appliances: “Worn only during sleep, an oral appliance fits like a sports mouth guard or an orthodontic retainer. It supports the jaw in a forward position to help maintain an open upper airway. Research shows that oral appliance therapy is an effective treatment option for snoring and obstructive sleep apnea.”
It’s estimated that as many as 10 percent of men and six percent of women in the U.S. suffer from sleep apnea. Fortunately, you don’t have to suffer from sleep apnea any longer. The team at Dental Health Partners in Cedar Rapids would be more than happy to answer any questions you may have about sleep apnea and Oral Sleep Appliances.
