Symptoms and Treatments for Sleep Apnea in Southlake

Sleep apnea is a sleep disorder that’s categorized by pauses in breathing numerous times while asleep. The long-term implications of untreated sleep apnea can lead to potentially serious complications on overall health and quality of life. Treating sleep apnea is fairly simple once the underlying cause of the condition is diagnosed. Enclave Dental offers treatment for sleep apnea in Southlake to help you sleep more soundly while decreasing your risk for further complications related to the disorder.

Understanding Sleep Apnea

There are three main types of sleep apnea: obstructive, central, and complex. Obstructive sleep apnea is the most common, which is caused by an obstruction in the airway that causes the air passages to narrow. Central sleep apnea occurs when the brain sends incorrect signals to the muscles that are responsible for controlling breathing. Complex sleep apnea syndrome is a little rarer, but occurs when both obstructive and central sleep apneas are present.

No matter the underlying cause of the disorder, the symptoms of sleep apnea are the same. The most noticeable symptom of the condition is loud, chronic snoring, which often causes dry mouth or a sore throat. Often, patients with sleep apnea will wake often at night, sometimes gasping or choking due to the pauses in breathing. The frequent pauses in breathing cause a poor night’s rest, resulting in morning headaches, daytime sleepiness, and irritability. The long-term complications for lack of sleep eventually lead to sleep deprivation, which greatly reduces the quality of life.

Treating Sleep Apnea in Southlake

For those who suspect they may have sleep apnea, they will need to be evaluated and undergo a sleep study for a diagnosis. Once diagnosed, treatment for Southlake sleep apnea can begin. Depending on the type of sleep apnea and the severity of the disorder, there are numerous types of treatments available.

For those who have very minor cases of obstructive sleep apnea, often only an oral appliance is needed. An oral appliance is similar to a mouthguard that’s worn at night. The custom-made device is designed to keep the airways open to reduce the occurrence of breathing interruptions.

For those with more severe forms of sleep apnea, a CPAP machine may be needed. A CPAP machine involves wearing a mask over the mouth and nose while sleeping. A light airstream is delivered through the mask to keep the air passages open.

An oral appliance and a CPAP machine are the most common forms of treatment for sleep apnea in Southlake. However, other forms of treatment may include the use of other airway pressure devices and, in rare cases, surgery.

To determine the most appropriate course of treatment for your individual needs, you’ll need to see your local dentist. Enclave Dental provides various forms of treatment for sleep apnea. We will evaluate your individual needs and diagnosis to create a personalized treatment plan to help you regain control of your breathing while you’re asleep. We’ll help you get a restful night’s sleep to lower your risk for additional complications while improving your quality of life.