Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a very serious sleep disorder, one that impacts millions of people in the United States. In order to treat the disorder and restore a patient’s ability to sleep, doctors and dentists have often prescribed a CPAP machine. Uncomfortable and cumbersome, this leads many to forgoing treatment. Fortunately, we offer our Pearland, TX, patients an alternative with an oral appliance.
Signs You Need Treatment
How do you know if you suffer from a sleep disorder? Well, at night you may be likely to snore or wake up gasping for air or struggling to breathe. Dry mouth when you wake up is common, and headaches and daytime drowsiness may be frequent occurrences. Difficulty concentrating on tasks and irritability is also a potential warning sign. If you begin to experience these symptoms in to your daily life, then please see us right away. Remember, lack of treatment means sleep apnea could eventually strain your immune system, causing you to be sick more often. The stress on your cardiovascular system could lead to an increased risk of hypertension, heart disease, stroke, and heart attack. Not to mention, mean OSA sufferers have an increased risk of depression.
Possible Causes
A sleep apnea episode involves the soft tissues in the throat or mouth becoming very relaxed and collapsing as you sleep. The airflow blockage causes you to stop breathing for brief periods until the brain wakes you. Patients rarely remember waking, even though this can happen hundreds of times a night and prevent you from obtaining the deep, uninterrupted sleep needed to function. Factors behind the disorder include excessive alcohol consumption, a poor sleep routine, over-sized oral tissues and tonsils, and sleeping on your back.
A CPAP Alternative
A CPAP machine involves wearing a mask over your nose and mouth, which is connected to a machine that pumps air. While this keeps you breathing without interruption, many struggle to rest while wearing the mask. Instead, our team will take detailed impressions and measurements of your smile, using the information to design a custom-made oral appliance. Worn like a mouthguard at night, the device repositions the jaw to prevent the collapse of soft tissues and ensure breathing without difficulty. No masks, no loud machines, just a simple oral appliance. If you have any questions about treating OSA, or if you think you may be at risk, then please contact our team today. Don’t let poor rest have a negative impact on your overall quality of life!
Do You Have Difficulty Sleeping?
Poor rest due to a sleep disorder could eventually lead to a number of uncomfortable symptoms. To learn more, call Houston Sleep Solutions in Spring, TX, at (281) 320-2000, or in Pearland, TX, at (832) 564-3508.
