Obstructive sleep apnea, also referred to as OSA, is a condition where the airway becomes blocked by the collapse of soft tissue at the back of the throat during sleep. This dangerous condition can cause a long list of adverse health effects, including snoring, memory problems, and weight gain, which is why it is crucial to have it treated as soon as possible. Below is more information about sleep apnea and why you should have it treated. 

Understanding Sleep Apnea

Why Should Sleep Apnea Be Treated? 

Sleep apnea can cause a person to stop breathing for as long as 30 seconds at a time up to 400 times per night, significantly interrupting sleep. As a result, people with this condition can struggle with fatigue, depression, and forgetfulness, as well as headaches, irritability, and obesity. 

Sleep apnea is important to treat because the condition can also lead to death. When you stop breathing, you are at a higher risk for cardiovascular disease, high blood pressure, diabetes and depression, and the condition has been directly linked to cancer. In fact, researchers have discovered that people with sleep apnea have a 65% higher chance of developing cancer than those without the condition. Sleep apnea can also cause loud snoring, which can interfere with the sleep quality of other people in your home. 

Which Treatment Options Are Available?  

Fortunately, this condition can be treated successfully with oral appliances or CPAP, or continuous positive airway pressure machines. A CPAP machine delivers a steady stream of air into the patient’s mouth or nose, preventing collapse. Oral appliances help to hold the lower portion of the jaw forward slightly, keeping the throat tissues from collapsing.

Although CPAP machines are an effective way to treat sleep apnea, many patients are not able to tolerate them.  Patients with skin sensitivity, claustrophobia, or sensory issues often cannot wear these devices and are their sleep apnea is therefore left untreated.

If you have mild to moderate sleep apnea and/or have severe sleep apnea, but cannot tolerate a CPAP machine, an oral appliance may be right for you. These simple devices are portable, discreet, and easy to use, helping to curb your symptoms and improve the quality of your sleep. Dentists make oral appliances by taking a mold of your smile, and then sending it to a lab where your needs are taken into consideration to craft a custom appliance. 

In very severe cases of sleep apnea, patients may even need surgery to remove extra tissue from the throat. Other surgical options include jaw repositioning, dental implants, or nerve stimulation to help open the mouth and encourage proper breathing during sleep. 

If you have received a recent sleep apnea diagnosis and need an oral appliance, turn to Revercomb Dental Group in Manlius, NY, for help. In addition to helping their clients to enjoy a comfortable, stress-free oral care experience, this trusted practice can also help people to reach their dental goals through state-of-the-art procedures like porcelain veneer placement and dental veneers. To find out more about how they can help, visit their website or call (315) 682-8400.