When you wake up in the morning, do you feel like you haven’t gotten quality sleep? Does your partner complain about your snoring or tell you that you often hold your breath during the night? If so, you may be suffering from a debilitating sleep disorder known as sleep apnea. Fortunately, some modern approaches to sleep apnea therapy exist that could help you avoid the bulky, uncomfortable CPAP machine.
What Is Sleep Apnea?
Sleep apnea is a sleep-related breathing disorder that interrupts your sleep. These interruptions occur when your tongue blocks your airway during sleep, resulting in long pauses in breathing. Because you aren’t breathing during these pauses, you are depriving your body of oxygen. This can place undue strain on your heart and can lead to medical issues such as:
- Heart disease
- High blood pressure
- Stroke
- Atrial fibrillation
That’s why it’s essential not to ignore sleep apnea symptoms when they occur.
Sleep Apnea Therapy Options
The most common sleep apnea treatment is with a CPAP machine; however, these devices are bulky and cumbersome, so many patients don’t wear them as prescribed. Thankfully, some new ways exist to treat sleep apnea and help you get the rest you need.
At Vienna Family Dental, we work to help you find solutions that work for your situation. We begin by asking you to wear a sleep monitor to test your heart rate, airflow, and REM sleep patterns. We then share that information with a sleep specialist and work with them to form a treatment plan.
In many cases, we can recommend an oral appliance that repositions your jaw while you sleep, keeping your tongue from blocking your airway. An oral appliance is much more comfortable and convenient than the traditional CPAP machine, making it extremely popular with our patients.
Do You Need Sleep Apnea Treatment in Vienna, VA?
If you or a loved one suffers from sleep apnea and would like to learn more about sleep apnea therapy from Vienna Family Dental, we are ready to take your call! To find out how to improve your sleep quality and overall health, call us at (703) 281-7104 for more information or to schedule a consultation.
We look forward to helping you sleep better.