Sleep Apnea Therapy – Lake Nona Region

What is Sleep Apnea?

Sleep apnea is a condition characterized by interrupted breathing during sleep as a result of oral blockages. This type is known as obstructive sleep apnea (or OSA) and is the most common form of sleep apnea diagnosed. Blockages generally occur due to oral tissues relaxing and then falling towards the back of the mouth. In order to prevent suffocation, the body forces itself awake, making it very difficult to achieve the deep states of sleep needed to feel rested upon waking up.

The other less common form of sleep apnea is central sleep apnea (or CSA) and occurs when the brain doesn’t send proper signals to the muscles to control breathing.

There are many symptoms that can develop due to having sleep apnea. Paying close attention to these symptoms can be particularly important if you share a bed with someone who may exhibit them. The most common symptoms include:

• Restless sleep
• Chronic snoring
• Daytime fatigue
• Mood swings or irritability
• Slowed reaction times
• Forgetfulness or short-term memory issues
• Headache and sore throat upon waking up
• Waking up to urinate in the middle of the night

The Dangers of Sleep Apnea

It’s clear that sleep apnea can affect your quality of life since it can be difficult or even impossible to get good rest every night. When you can’t get good rest, it becomes more difficult to concentrate or be productive throughout the day. Work can become more stressful and take longer to complete. Depending on your career, you might even be putting yourself in harm’s way if you drive or operate heavy machinery.

However, the consequences of untreated sleep apnea are not exclusive to the short-term. In the long-term, sleep apnea can cause issues with memory, the heart, brain, and immune system. Studies have shown there is a connection between this chronic condition and type 2 diabetes, stroke, and heart attacks.

Sleep Apnea Treatment Options 

The good news is there are multiple options out there to treat and manage your sleep apnea. One of the more well-known options is using a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machine. For many, this appliance is too intrusive and difficult to use. Alternative options like oral appliance therapy, available at our office, provide an easier solution to chronic sleep apnea symptoms.

Not only is the oral appliance customized to fit your mouth exactly for maximum comfort, but it’s extremely easy to bring with you while traveling. Simply wear the appliance before going to bed to expand your airway and allow improved oxygen flow.

Additionally, if you need help diagnosing sleep apnea or staying proactive against the condition before it has a chance to develop, we offer at-home sleep testing and expansion appliances in-house.