Sleep Apnea Therapy in Midland
You’ve tried all of the expert’s tips for getting a good night’s sleep. You go to bed at the same time every night and wake up at the same time each morning. You sleep in a cool, dark room. You don’t watch television, work on the computer, or check your smartphone in bed. And you have dinner at least three hours before going to sleep. You do all of this and still you feel sleepy during the day. The problem may not be your bedtime habits, but a physical condition called sleep apnea. This is a medical condition that interrupts breathing while you sleep. If you are diagnosed with sleep apnea in Midland, TX, Dr. Christensen can help you have a restful night of sleep with a simple oral appliance called a snoreguard.
What Causes Sleep Apnea?
There are two forms of sleep apnea. One is neurologically based, but the far more common form is called obstructive sleep apnea. In this case, tissue in your throat as well as your tongue relaxes just like the rest of your body and has a tendency to fall back further into your throat. As a result, your airway becomes partially or even fully blocked. When you try to breath, air vibrates this tissue causing the most common side effect of sleep apnea—loud snoring.
Signs & Symptoms of Sleep Apnea
In addition to loud snoring, the other signs and symptoms of sleep apnea include:
- Morning headaches
- Difficulty concentrating during the day
- Memory problems
- A sore throat or dry mouth when you awaken
- Frequently needing to urinate during the night
- Irritability and moodiness
Health Problems Linked to Sleep Apnea
As if the symptoms of sleep apnea weren't trouble enough, this is a condition that can also lead to a number of systemic illnesses and diseases. Solid research has drawn a connection between sleep apnea and high blood pressure, stroke, heart disease, diabetes and depression. Thus, for the sake of getting a good night of sleep and avoiding general health problems, treating sleep apnea is imperative.
Treating Sleep Apnea in Midland, TX
If you are experiencing any of the signs and symptoms of sleep apnea, your physician can arrange a sleep test. If the results show that you do have sleep apnea, your physician will prescribe a CPAP machine. But if your test results show that your problem is snoring, then 79701 dentist Dr. Christensen can prescribe a custom-fabricated oral appliance called a snoreguard. Made of smooth plastic, the snoreguard gently shifts your lower jaw forward in order to keep your tongue and other throat tissue from blocking your airway. You’ll breathe more freely, so you and the person sleeping next to you will be able to get a peaceful night’s sleep.