Do I Need A Sleep Appliance?

Categories: Sleep Apnea

Lack of sleep leads to serious problems during the day, from moodiness and trouble concentrating to painful headaches and drowsiness. In order to help patients in Pearland, TX, with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), we may suggest a unique and custom solution. How does a sleep appliance stop the disorder, and when should a person seek treatment for OSA?

How Do You Sleep?

First, we’re going to look at the possible warning signs of sleep apnea. For example, do you ever wake in the night gasping for air or choking? Do you snore frequently and seem to stop breathing in the night? If so, these could be possible warning signs. Sleep apnea happens when the soft tissues in your throat and mouth become overly relaxed, collapsing and blocking airflow. You stop breathing until the brain wakes you, and despite having no memory of these episodes, they may happen several times in the night. You end up sleep deprived and your overall health may suffer.

What’s Your Day Like?

Now, let’s look at daytime symptoms. Do you often feel exhausted during the day, even though you believe you slept the night before? Do you wake up with dry mouth or experience headaches during the day? Do you suffer from moodiness or have trouble focusing in tasks at work or school? These could also point to a serious sleep disorder and indicate you need to see the dentist. In order to diagnose the issue, we may send you home with a small device. The machine then assesses your natural sleeping habits, recording apneic episodes, breathing exertion, and blood oxygen levels. With the home sleep test, we obtain accurate and precise results and find out if you need treatment.

Creating and Using Your Custom Appliance

How do you treat sleep apnea? Well, we may suggest sleeping on your side, avoiding alcohol or caffeine before bed, and maintaining a sleep schedule. We may also prescribe a custom oral appliance, which is worn as you sleep and fits much like a mouthguard. However, the device actually repositions the jaw to keep airways open and prevent the collapse of soft tissues. You breathe without interruption and enjoy a better night’s rest. If you have any questions about your sleep habits, or about our custom treatment options, then contact our team today. Don’t let poor rest continue to have negative impacts on your overall quality of life.

Ready for a Personalized Sleep Solution?

Don’t let a disorder like OSA lead to problems in your day-to-day life, talk to our team about possible solutions. For more information on identifying and treating sleep apnea and other disorders, please call Houston Sleep Solutions in Spring, TX, at (281) 320-2000, or in Pearland, TX, at (832) 564-3508.