Do you find yourself feeling exhausted by the afternoon? Do you frequently wake up with headaches? Does your bed partner accuse you of loud snoring during the night?
If you answered yes to any of these questions, you might be struggling with a sleep disorder called sleep apnea, and the good news is that your Virginia Beach dentist has solutions for you!
What Is Sleep Apnea?
The most common type of sleep apnea, called obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), occurs when you stop breathing throughout the night due to a blocked or obstructed airway. When you're not getting enough oxygen, your brain signals the body to wake up. In severe cases of sleep apnea, you may wake up hundreds of times throughout the night without realizing it.
Sleep apnea is dangerous because it keeps you from getting the rejuvenating rest you need, and it can also contribute to a host of other problems, such as:
- High blood pressure
- Depression or mood swings
- Brain fog
- Frequent headaches or migraines
- Chronic fatigue
- Heart disease or heart failure
Sleep apnea can significantly impact your overall quality of life and become quite debilitating and even fatal in some cases.
Treating Sleep Apnea
We diagnose sleep apnea through a sleep study that measures your breathing throughout the night and how many times you wake up. Continuous positive air pressure (CPAP) therapy is the standard treatment for treating sleep apnea; however, it can be cumbersome and uncomfortable as it requires you to wear a mask at night while you sleep.
Dr. Zapatero offers treatment for mild to moderate cases of sleep apnea in Virginia Beach with an oral appliance. Much like an orthodontic retainer, the oral appliance is comfortable and easy to wear. It's designed to slightly reposition your jaw during sleep to open your airway for clear breathing.
If you'd like to learn more about sleep apnea treatment in Virginia Beach, contact your Starfish Dental team by calling (757) 481-3893.