Diagnosing And Treating Sleep Apnea
Sleep apnea is a common nighttime breathing disorder that can be quite serious and negatively impact overall health. Loud snoring and feeling tired even after a full night’s sleep indicate possible sleep apnea. Patients with one or more sleep apnea symptoms should see a doctor trained in sleep medicine for proper diagnosis.
Symptoms of Sleep Apnea
There are several sleep apnea symptoms. A patient may have one, some, or all of them, and, often, a partner or family member will be the first to notice. The most common symptoms include:
- Snoring loudly
- Gasping for air during sleep
- Interrupted breathing during sleep
- Dry mouth in the morning
- Waking up with a headache
- Insomnia or not being able to stay asleep
- Daytime drowsiness, even after a full night’s sleep
- Acid reflux
- Erectile dysfunction
- Mood swings or uncharacteristic irritability
Take-Home Sleep Study for Diagnosing Sleep Apnea
If you suspect you may have sleep apnea, call us, and we can set you up with one of our home sleep study devices. We can then use the data from the device to determine whether you have sleep apnea and decide on a treatment plan.
Sleep Apnea Treatment
It is essential to treat sleep apnea because doing so will:
- Improve sleep quality
- Improve oral and overall health
- Eliminate related aches and pains
- Eliminate daytime fatigue
- Reduce the risk of serious health issues
Sleep apnea treatment generally improves a patient’s oral and overall health and well-being.
There are several sleep apnea treatments available including:
- Oral appliances
- Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP)
- Nasal surgery
Here at Conover Family Dental, we make custom oral appliances to treat sleep apnea. Studies show that most patients are far more receptive to oral appliance therapy than CPAP. If your condition is mild or moderate, we can help you get started on your journey to better sleep and oral health with an oral appliance.
If you want more information or want to make an appointment to discuss sleep apnea, call us at our office located in Cincinnati, OH. We would love to hear from you and get you started on the road to better sleep and health.
