Sleep Apnea Treatment
What Is Sleep Apnea?
Sleep apnea is a condition in which your breathing stops periodically during sleep, as many as 20-30 times per hour. Each time you stop breathing in your sleep, the resulting lack of oxygen alerts your brain, which temporarily wakes you up to restart proper breathing. Since the time spent awake is so brief, most people with sleep apnea don’t remember it, and many feel like they are getting a good night’s sleep, when in fact, they are not. The constant wake-sleep, wake-sleep cycle prevents those with sleep apnea from achieving deep sleep, resulting in a constant drowsy feeling during the day.
Sleep Apnea Symptoms
The following symptoms can indicate the presence of sleep apnea. If you notice one or more of these, contact our practice.
- Insomnia or difficulty sleeping
- Loud snoring at night
- Waking up at night short of breath
- Snorting or choking sounds during the night (indicating a restart of breathing)
- Headaches upon waking in the morning
- Falling asleep unintentionally during the day
- Extreme drowsiness throughout the day
Sleep Apnea Treatment Options
The level of apnea is determined by taking a PSG (polysomnogram) which is an overnight study done in a sleep center. At Agnini Family Dental, we offer a home sleep study device that can be easily placed at bedtime in the comfort of your own home and your own bed. It is an uncomplicated device that attaches to your wrist with two finger probes. In the morning it is returned to our office, where the sleep data is downloaded and analyzed. The number of sleep apnea episodes per hour is calculated and gives the doctor a diagnosis that your apnea condition is either: mild, moderate, or severe. Our doctors work closely with an ENT physician to help find a solution that works best for you!
Treatments for snoring and sleep apnea depend on the severity of each individual case and the type of apnea. Basic treatment can be behavioral — for instance, patients are instructed to lose weight, stop smoking, or sleep on their sides instead of on their backs. Beyond that, oral devices such as a mandibular advancement device (MAD) can be used to position the mouth in such a way that prevents throat blockage. In more severe cases, a CPAP machine or surgery may be the best option.
