The doctors at The Greater Attleboro Center for Dental Sleep Medicine are dedicated to helping patients find relief from sleep apnea. If you are suffering from sleep apnea, your Attleboro Falls, MA, dental sleep medicine specialists can tell you if a snore guard or CPAP therapy will be best for your case. Find relief from sleep apnea and feel well-rested again!
What is sleep apnea?
Everyone knows a good night's sleep is essential for your health, but with sleep apnea, it's hard to get the rest you need. In an individual with sleep apnea, the upper airways are constricted or collapsed, making it difficult for enough air to reach the lungs. This causes the individual to stop breathing and wake up during sleep. This is very stressful on the body and causes all kinds of symptoms. Not everyone who snores has sleep apnea, but most people with sleep apnea snore loudly and often. It is usually a sleeping partner that first notices the signs of sleep apnea, so come see us in Attleboro Falls, MA, if you or a loved one notices any of these symptoms:
- Snoring
- Waking up abruptly gasping or choking
- Excessive daytime sleepiness
- Waking up with a sore throat or dry mouth
- Morning headaches
- Difficulty focusing
- Confusion/memory problems
We can help if you are dealing with these symptoms. Treatment methods focus on stabilizing the airways, either by continuous pressure or wearing an oral device.
Snore guards
One method of treating obstructive sleep apnea symptoms is wearing an oral device, sometimes called a snore guard because it also lessens snoring. There are several types of oral devices you wear while sleeping that stabilize the jaw and tongue to help keep airways open.
CPAP therapy
Continuous Positive Airway Pressure therapy or CPAP therapy is another common method for treating obstructive sleep apnea. The patient wears a mask that supplies positive air pressure to the throat and keeps the airway open. CPAP therapy is very effective but some patients have trouble feeling comfortable in the mask or move it in their sleep. An oral device may be a better solution for those patients.
What you can do
Healthy habits can make a significant difference in managing sleep apnea. Your doctor will recommend limiting alcohol intake and quitting smoking. Cigarettes are notoriously addictive and some people seek treatment for sleep apnea and continue to smoke. This only puts more stress on their heart every single day.
The Greater Attleboro Center for Dental Sleep Medicine is here for you if you are suffering from sleep apnea. Contact us for an appointment in Attleboro Falls, MA, at (508) 699-9550.