Sleep Apnea
We all know how important sleep is. Still, every day, Americans wake up feeling tired and unrested instead of refreshed and ready to go.
Sleep is an area in our lives that we don't take as significantly as we should. A lousy sleep life could result in poor work performance, crankiness, and even poor health. A bad night's rest can affect your day, but consistent, poor sleep can impact your quality of life and happiness.
Most people may not have heard of sleep apnea, but they can relate to snoring as a disrupting force in their sleep.
Have you been told that you snore? Do you wake up with a sore throat and a terrible attitude?
Your preventive dentists, Dr. Andrea Harris, Dr. Kyung Ha Kim, and Dr. Paul Harris, can diagnose and treat any sleep issues you might have. Just come in for a dental exam and let us know what your symptoms are.
What Is Sleep Apnea?
Sleep apnea is a sleep condition where the airway is blocked during rest. Patients suffering from sleep apnea might stop breathing altogether, a symptom that can be very scary for partners.
There are three forms of sleep apnea: obstructive, central, and mixed. Obstructive is what patients usually suffer from, but all three keep patients from breathing during their sleep.
Most Wamego patients don't know that they have stopped breathing since they remain sleeping throughout. We are eager to treat any signs of sleep apnea since it can be very dangerous, often increasing the risk of strokes, heart attacks, and high blood pressure.
What Causes Sleep Apnea?
Many factors can cause obstructive sleep apnea, including age, obesity, and other factors. Men are more at risk of having this condition, so pay attention to the men in your life. Consuming alcohol, smoking, taking medications, and even genetics can increase the odds of having sleep apnea.
Patients with sleep apnea can manage their condition with:
- No caffeine before going to bed
- Exercise
- Quitting smoking
- No eating large meals before bed
- Eating nutritious foods
- Trying to maintain a regular sleep schedule
Treating Sleep Apnea
At Wamego Dental Center, we work with a patient's medical doctor to develop a plan for managing their sleep apnea.
CPAPs can be helpful for treating sleep apnea but oftentimes they are not well received by patients. We find success in treating mild to moderate cases with an oral appliance.
For mild to moderate cases, we may be able to use a mouthguard to prevent the mouth from closing. This device keeps airways open and is more comfortable than a CPAP.
Call Us to End Your Snoring
Your quality of sleep is essential to us, which is why we offer different treatment options so our patients can have a good night's sleep.
Consistent bad sleep can make you feel tired all the time, grumpy, and even distracted at work.
If you think your sleep has been affected, or if your partner is affected, don't hesitate to call us right away.
