Getting good sleep is an important part of enjoying life – it is difficult to work hard, play hard, and make the most out of every day if you are tired all the time. If you consistently have a problem sleeping, it can indicate that you have a serious health problem that should be dealt with.
Are you wondering why you are having sleep problems?
Are you wondering if it is time to get help?
Read on for the symptoms of sleep apnea, a condition that is not only annoying but could be dangerous.
What is sleep apnea?
Obstructive sleep apnea is the most common form of sleep apnea. It happens when the muscles in the back of the throat relax as you sleep, causing your airway to narrow. This prevents an adequate amount of air from getting into your system and your oxygen level drops. Your brain wakes you up because you are not getting enough oxygen. This can happen several times a night – even several times an hour, but you may not even realize you are waking up so often in the middle of the night.
How do you know that it is sleep apnea?
You may wonder if your sleep problems are temporary and harmless or if they are something serious. You may need your partner to help you identify some of the symptoms of sleep apnea. They include:
• Gasping for air while sleeping
• Loud snoring
• Periods where you stop breathing
• Feeling excessively tired during the day
• Irritability
• Morning headache
• Morning dry mouth
What can be done about sleep apnea?
While continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machines are commonly used to treat people with sleep apnea, many people find them bulky, uncomfortable, and just a hassle to deal with. Another option is an oral appliance- the full breath appliance. This appliance is a custom made mouth piece with an attachment to depress the tongue, thus opening the airway without ADVANCING the mandible.
It is no wonder that many people stop using their CPAP machine – they can be uncomfortable, difficult to sleep in, hard to clean, and a huge hassle to travel with. The good news is that if you have sleep apnea, you can be treated without CPAP, with oral appliance therapy from the Full Breath Center for dental sleep!
What is oral appliance therapy?
Oral appliances resemble mouth guards that athletes wear. You wear it while you sleep, and it fits easily over your teeth – after a few nights you won’t even realize you are wearing it. It works by repositioning your tongue and jaw, which opens up the airway, which makes it easier to breathe.
What are the benefits of oral appliance therapy?
A recent study has found that over 80% of patients preferred oral appliance therapy compared with CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure) machines, and it is easy to see why. Oral appliances are very effective, but they are much more comfortable, easy to use, and easy to take care of. Traveling with a small oral appliance compared with a bulky CPAP machine is another benefit.
Getting an oral appliance is also an easy process. You and your doctor will meet and discuss your sleep problems and your concerns, and we will go over your treatment options. If you decide that an oral appliance is right for you, your doctor will check your teeth, airway, and jaws to make sure that the correct type of appliance – the Full Breath Solution oral appliance has been approved by the FDA and there are 5 United States patents as well as 5 FDA approvals.
It may take some time to get used to an oral appliance, but it is worth it. Soon you will start to sleep better and feel better during the day, too.
You may think that the only option for dealing with sleep apnea is a bulky and uncomfortable CPAP machine, but that is simply not true! If you have tried CPAP but didn’t like it, or if you have been diagnosed with sleep apnea and are hesitant to even try CPAP, oral appliance therapy may be the answer.
Contact the full Breath Center in Beverly Hills, CA for an appointment today, at 310-435-7939.
