What is Obstructive Sleep Apnea?

Sleeping is essential to our health; it helps keep a healthy heart, reduces stress, boosts alertness, improves memory and helps the body repair itself. We’ve all experienced the occasional sleepless night but what if you are “sleeping” and still not feeling your best through the day. It could be a sleep disorder known as Sleep Apnea. Many people suffer from it but are unaware that they have it. The most common type of Sleep Apnea is Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA), which is when a person stops breathing periodically throughout the night due to physical obstructions of the airway.   It is extremely crucial that OSA is managed as it can become serious and lead to death. When breathing stops the oxygen level in your blood could drop, this will cause strain on your cardiovascular system making your heart work harder. OSA can increase risk of heart attack, high blood pressure and diabetes. All this sounds scary but on the bright side OSA can usually be successfully treated. Speak to your doctor if you or a family member notice the following symptoms:

• Loud snoring or Silence when asleep
• Gasping or Choking sounds while asleep
• Insomnia or Hypersomnia
• Frequent sore or dry throat
• Teeth grinding

Once you have been diagnosed by your medical doctor they may recommend a CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure). This machine keeps the airway open and prevents breathing from stopping during sleep. Keep in mind you also have the option of a Sleep Apnea dental device this is an oral appliance that brings your jaw forward opening the airway. Some patients may opt for a dental appliance over the CPAP due to comfort and portability issues. Dr. Washington and our team at The Brace Place are knowledgeable about OSA and can fabricate dental sleep devices. Please contact our office for more information; we would love to provide you with regenerative sleep.