Sleep apnea is a serious sleep disorder that, left untreated, can contribute to life-threatening health issues. Fortunately, Silent Night Therapy provides effective diagnosis and treatment options for those diagnosed with this disruptive condition.
What Is Sleep Apnea?
Sleep apnea is a common sleep disorder characterized by repeated interruptions in breathing throughout the night. It is caused by the muscles in the throat relaxing and blocking the airway during sleep, preventing oxygen from reaching the lungs.
There are two main types of sleep apnea. Obstructive sleep apnea, the more common form, involves the soft tissues in the back of the throat collapsing and blocking airflow. In central sleep apnea, the brain fails to signal the muscles to breathe due to instability in the respiratory control center.
Sleep is an important biological component that is vital to healthy functioning. If you suffer from sleep apnea, then your sleep suffers, which can lead to a variety of health issues in both the short-term and long-term.
The Risks of Sleep Apnea
Sleep apnea leads to more than a bad night’s sleep. Aside from poor concentration, headaches, irritability, and chronic sleepiness that will affect your social and professional life, there are far more serious problems that have been linked with sleep apnea that can manifest themselves in the following life-threatening conditions:
- High blood pressure
- Heart attack or arrhythmia (irregular heartbeat)
- Stroke
- Acid reflux (GERD)
- Impotence
- Heart failure
- Diabetes
- Metabolic syndrome
- Obesity
- Insulin resistance
- Headaches
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Cognitive dysfunction
- Dementia
- Fatigue
- Earlier mortality
What is the Next Step?
If you are experiencing any of the signs above or feel that you may suffer from sleep apnea, it is important to seek medical attention in order to prevent any serious, long-term side effects that could manifest later in life.
You are at a higher risk for sleep apnea if you are overweight, have a history of high blood pressure, or have any known abnormalities in the nose or throat areas.
At Babylon Dental Care, we provide a variety of sleep apnea treatments to suit your individual needs. The process will include a sleep study that can be performed in the convenience of your own home (a major convenience for our patients) as opposed to spending the night in a sleep research facility.
What is Silent Night Therapy?
Silent Night Therapy is the dedicated sleep team at Babylon Dental Care. Dr. Brown’s expert team is committed to effectively treating your Obstructive Sleep Apnea so that you can once again enjoy uninterrupted nights of restful sleep.
How Silent Night Therapy Treats Sleep Apnea
If you have obstructive sleep apnea and have struggled with CPAP treatments, Oral Appliance Therapy may be a more comfortable and effective solution.
Oral appliances are plastic mouthpieces custom-fitted by dentists to keep the airway open during sleep. They position the jaw slightly forward to prevent the soft tissues in the throat from collapsing and obstructing normal breathing. This opens the airway to allow restful sleep. Appliances are much smaller and more comfortable than CPAP machines, which is why studies have shown better adherence rates among oral appliance users than CPAP users.
Custom-made oral appliances last several years and require little maintenance. Potential side effects are usually minor, such as dry mouth, irritation of the gums, or jaw discomfort. These can often be remedied with adjustments to the appliance.
Looking for an alternative to CPAP therapy? Dr. Brown and the Silent Night Therapy team are here to help! Click here to learn more about Sleep Apnea and Silent Night Therapy. Ask us about Oral Appliance Therapy today!