Sleep Apnea Treatment – Marysville, OH
Better Sleep for a Healthier You
Along with exercise and a balanced diet, sleep is one of the pillars of good health. Sadly, millions of people suffer from a disorder known as sleep apnea, which robs them of the ability to get an adequate amount of high-quality rest each night. Read on below to learn more about this condition and its consequences. You will also learn a bit about how sleep apnea treatment in Marysville, OH from our talented dental team may be able to help you get the rejuvenating shuteye that you deserve.
Why Choose Northwest Family Dental of Marysville for Sleep Apnea Therapy?
- Multiple Treatment Options
- Partnered with Trustworthy Specialists
- Friendly & Empathetic Team
What Is Sleep Apnea?
Sleep apnea is a condition characterized by repeated pauses in breathing throughout the night. In central sleep apnea, the pauses occur when the brain fails to send proper breathing signals to the rest of the body. The more common version of this disorder, obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), happens because tissues in the upper airway block the free flow of oxygen.
OSA can cause a range of symptoms. It is commonly accompanied by loud, frequent snoring. Mood swings, daytime exhaustion, difficulty concentrating, and sexual dysfunction are other possible symptoms. Morning headaches and sore throats are additional indicators that OSA may be present.
The Dangers of Sleep Apnea
Many people oversimplify sleep apnea, saying that it is little more than an annoyance. However, if left untreated, it can have devastating consequences for overall health and quality of life. For example, it has been associated with an increased risk of heart attack, stroke, diabetes, high blood pressure, difficulty with weight management, and dementia. It can also impact mental health, contributing to anxiety and depression in its victims. Additionally, because a lack of sleep can interfere with reaction times, OSA is associated with a heightened chance of being involved in a motor vehicle accident.
Sleep Apnea Treatment Options
When you visit us for a sleep apnea consultation, we will begin by learning about your airway issues. If necessary, we will coordinate with an ENT to help you arrange a sleep study, which will reveal whether you have OSA and how severe the condition is.
Following the sleep study, we will recommend a treatment option. For cases of mild to moderate OSA, an oral sleep appliance designed by a dentist in Marysville is often the best choice. We tend to favor EMA appliances, which gently move the jaw forward in order to promote better breathing. In other cases, we recommend a surgical orthodontic procedure called distraction osteogenesis maxillary expansion, which can correct the underlying cause of OSA.
Some patients may require a CPAP machine, which uses pressurized air to keep the airway open during sleep.