Sleep apnea is a condition characterized by disrupted breathing during sleep. Interrupted breathing can occur several times throughout the night and is characterized by loud and frequent snoring, followed by brief moments of silence as breathing resumes. The most common cause of sleep apnea is a partial blockage of the airway, often occurring when the soft tissue in the back of the throat collapses and closes during sleep, but with the help of Dr. Abelar and his team, Sleep Apnea Treatment in San Diego CA is possible.
What Are The Symptoms?
This disorder causes loud or frequent snoring. People with sleep apnea stop breathing repeatedly during their sleep. They may gasp for air, snort, or choke. They also may experience excessive daytime sleepiness. Sleep apnea can also lead to memory problems, mood changes, and irritability.
How Is Sleep Apnea Diagnosed?
Your dentist may refer you to a sleep specialist or pulmonologist for diagnosis. The sleep specialist may order a sleep study to diagnose obstructive sleep apnea. The test records brain activity, eye movements, muscle activity, heart rate, chest expansion, and oxygen levels while you sleep. The sleep specialist will review your medical history and the results of your sleep study to diagnose sleep apnea.
What is Sleep Apnea Treatment?
Sleep apnea is a potentially serious sleep disorder that causes you to stop breathing during sleep. It’s caused by blocked airways, and it can lead to significant health problems like high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, diabetes, depression, and obesity. If you suspect you may have sleep apnea, you should talk to your doctor right away.
In mild cases, sleep apnea may be treated with lifestyle changes like weight loss, quitting smoking, and sleeping on your side or stomach. Severe cases, however, often require the use of mouthpieces, breathing devices, and other treatment options.
The treatment options for sleep apnea include the following:
Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP)
Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) is one of the most common types of sleep apnea treatments. CPAP involves wearing a mask over your mouth while you sleep. The mask is connected to a machine by tubing, which forces air into your mouth and keeps it open.
CPAP is one of the best treatment options for sleep apnea for a few reasons. First of all, CPAP is very effective. It’s considered the gold standard for treating sleep apnea. It’s also easy to use. You don’t have to do anything differently when sleeping. This makes it a very convenient option.
Oral appliance therapy (OAT)
Oral appliances, or mouth guards, are worn in the mouth during sleep to prevent sleep apnea and snoring. OAT devices come in a few different forms:
- Mandibular advancement device (MAD)
- Tongue retaining device (TRD)
- Tongue retaining device with suction (TSD)
Surgery for sleep apnea
In severe cases of obstructive sleep apnea, surgery may be recommended. There are several different types of surgeries to treat sleep apnea:
- Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UPPP):For snoring caused by a large uvula or tissue blocking the throat.
- Tonsillectomy:For children who snore or who have sleep apnea caused by enlarged tonsils.
- Pillar implant: For adults who snore or have a deviated septum.
- Genioglossus advancement:For adults who snore and who have a tongue that falls back during sleep.
- Maxillomandibular advancement: For adults who snore and have sleep apnea caused by blocked airways.
How Can A Dentist Help With Sleep Apnea?
A San Diego dentist can evaluate the extent of sleep apnea symptoms and prescribe an oral appliance that helps with mild to moderate sleep apnea.
Call the most experienced Dentist in San Diego CA, or schedule an online appointment with us, and we’ll be able to guide you further.