Obstructive sleep apnea is a sleeping disorder that prevents people from breathing properly while sleeping. It is clinically recognized, and nearly 25 million adults in the United States suffer from obstructive sleep apnea. If sleep apnea is not properly treated, death may happen due to lack of oxygen. That is an extreme case; however, this is not something to take lightly. That’s why LifeTime Smiles is your local dentist in Austin that can help create solutions to prevent any poor circumstances that might occur due to sleep apnea.
Some common signs that you suffer from sleep apnea include: extreme snoring, choking, gasping, or other suffocating-type symptoms. If you or your partner exhibits these symptoms, it is likely you suffer from sleep apnea. The first thing you’ll want to do is visit your general physician for a proper diagnosis. Then, you can visit Dr. Arzegar and LifeTime Smiles to discuss the next steps.
Luckily, sleep apnea is treatable. There are three common methods: CPAP therapy, oral appliance therapy, and surgical therapy. CPAP therapy is the use of a face mask during sleep that regulates breathing and guards your safety. In the second method of treatment, an oral device (similar to a mouth guard) is worn at night that keeps the jaw in proper placement for an open airway. Lastly comes surgery. This is our least favorite method of treatment because it is very invasive and is not proven to work every time.
Please contact Dr. Arzegar or staff at LifeTime Smiles to further discuss the treatment for sleep apnea at your local dentist in Austin.