Sleep apnea is a condition that affects many Americans, and the most troubling fact is the majority of people are unaware they have the disorder. This condition affects breathing cycles while you are trying to get your rest and can prevent you from getting a night of quality sleep.
How do I know if I have sleep apnea? Some of the signs and symptoms include loud snoring, constant fatigue, never feeling completely rested and having a hard time concentrating during waking hours. Poor quality of sleep can hinder many aspects of our lives and negatively affect our overall health.
What Happens During Sleep Apnea?
While a person is asleep, their muscles relax, including ones located in the tongue, throat and uvula. During a regular sleep cycle, the tongue and soft palate are controlled and maintained by these muscles; but in a patient with sleep apnea, the airway becomes obstructed. The relaxation of these muscles actually results in a blockage of the flow of oxygen, causing patients to snore loudly, in order to force these muscles back into their normal position. This can happen several times each night, preventing people from getting their necessary rest and a good night’s sleep.
Using Oral Appliances for Treatment
Many people with sleep apnea choose to address their needs with oral appliances. These types of devices are worn while sleeping and reposition the tongue, soft palate and lower jaw to promote normal air flow. This results in helping the jaw to become more stable and increases the strength of the tongue and will prevent these important muscles from collapsing.
Snoring and sleep apnea therapy oral appliances are very comfortable to wear, so most patients get used to them as part of their normal sleep routine rather easily. The appliances themselves are very small, making them convenient to take along on trips or when traveling anywhere. What many patients like best about this sleep medicine is that this kind of treatment is non-invasive and requires no surgery or other procedure.
A sleep apnea device is custom made to fit your mouth. Perhaps best of all, this type of therapy has a very high rate of success because patients usually do not mind wearing them. Dr. Bennardo and his staff are experienced in treating sleep apnea and can correct your condition using oral appliances. Give his office a call today at 847-380-1906 to see what he can do to improve your sleep.
