Sleep Apnea Therapy in Dix Hills

Do you struggle with daytime drowsiness? Has your partner ever complained about your loud snoring? Do you wake up in the middle of the night struggling to catch your breath? These are all symptoms of sleep apnea, a sleep disorder that affects more than 20 million Americans.

What Is Sleep Apnea?

Patients who struggle with sleep apnea stop breathing for 10 seconds or more during sleep. The brain senses this lack of oxygen and sends out a signal to wake you up. This cycle of sleeping and waking can occur as many times each night. Because sleep apnea patients only wake up briefly, many don’t even realize they have a problem; all they know is that they feel drowsy the next day.

How Is Sleep Apnea Treated?

Treatment of sleep apnea varies. Because obesity and smoking are serious risk factors for some kinds of sleep apnea, simply losing weight or giving up smoking could be enough. For others, changing sleep position can help.

Still, others are finding relief with oral appliance therapy. This method uses a custom-made oral appliance to help patients treat obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS). Patients with OSAS stop breathing because their tongue or lower jaw prevents air from reaching the lungs. This is also why patients with OSAS struggling with snoring. An oral appliance keeps the airway to the lungs open so the patient sleeps more soundly.

Do you want to learn more about sleep apnea and how it’s treated? Call Dix Hills Family Dentistry to schedule a consultation. We’ll be happy to discuss your symptoms and answer any questions.