San Francisco, Marin, and Oakland, CA
Airway disorders, such as sleep apnea, rob millions of hours of rejuvenating sleep from Americans. Although some people may be unaware that they have an airway disorder, others suffer the symptoms of sleep deprivation and more. Understanding the airway disorder that causes sleep apnea can help in your treatment process. The knowledgeable Bay Area dentists near you from Glen Park Dental share how they can help you manage your sleep apnea condition.
What is an airway disorder?
Obstructions of your airway, such as those related to sleep apnea, are scientifically classified as airway disorders. The blockages could cause you to snore in your sleep, clench or grind your teeth, experience poor sleep quality, and show signs of irritability, among other symptoms. As your airway becomes blocked or partially restricted, your body will not receive a proper level of oxygen to perform basic functions. Your leading Marin sleep apnea dentists at Glen Park Dental are disclosing the symptoms of sleep apnea as feeling constantly tired, possible frequent headaches, low sex drive, difficulty focusing on everyday tasks, mood swings, and memory loss.
What causes the airway obstruction?
Typically, the airway obstruction occurs when soft tissues in your throat or your tongue block your airway while sleeping. The blockage, big or small, is the leading cause of the infamous loud snoring commonly associated with sleep apnea. Your Oakland professional sleep apnea dentists at Glen Park Dental warn not to be mistaken about loud snoring. Simply because you do not snore does not mean you do not have sleep apnea. You could have sleep apnea without snoring, and the only way to know for sure is through a sleep study administered by a sleep specialist.
What treatment is available for sleep apnea?
In the past, sleep apnea treatments included the CPAP machine, which created a positive airflow keeping tissues from obstructing the airway. However, many CPAP users complain about loud bulky devices that are not very portable for travel and are challenging to maintain. Therefore, people stop using the machine and do not seek additional treatment options. Unfortunately, that means those patients are no longer receiving treatment for sleep apnea, and their risk of developing other health complications has dramatically increased. The sleep apnea dentists in San Francisco near you at Glen Park Dental warn that untreated sleep apnea could increase your risk of diabetes, cognitive decline, cardiovascular disease, stroke, and certain forms of cancer.
Are there any alternatives to the CPAP machine for treatment?
At Glen Park Dental, we fabricate a custom oral appliance used to treat mild cases of airway obstruction disorders. The oral appliance gently holds your lower jaw in a more forward position to help open your airway while you sleep. The patients at your trusted airway dentists in the Bay Area, Glen Park Dental, enjoy the benefits the oral appliance provides without discomfort or noise. Since the oral device is small, portable, and does not require a power source, it makes the tool perfect for travel. Your friendly dentists in Oakland at Glen Park Dental will monitor your airway and sleep apnea disorder and adjust your treatment as necessary after receiving your oral appliance.
What age group suffers from sleep apnea?
Sleep apnea and other sleep disorders can affect everyone at any age, including high performing athletes and children. In past studies, sleep apnea was a condition in most middle-aged, overweight men. However, through research, scientists are finding more evidence of those in peak physical health, male or female, could have a sleep breathing disorder. The board-certified dentists in San Francisco at Glen Park Dental share a warning that sleep apnea may be called the new “silent killer.” It is critical to have a screening if you notice symptoms of sleep apnea associated with airway obstructions no matter your age.
Sleep Apnea in Marin, Oakland, and San Francisco, California
Although not getting enough sleep may seem alright for a short period, such as when sick or congested from a cold, the long-term effects relating to a lack of sleep can be detrimental to your health. Sleep apnea dentists at Glen Park Dental can help walk you through your custom treatment to help you get the best results. If you have symptoms of sleep apnea or would like to speak with someone about the condition, feel free to call us at (415) 585-1500 or request a consultation online now.
