Sleep apnea in Reno is a serious medical condition that affects many people in our area. As an expert on oral health, your dentist can play a major role in helping you to find relief. Some of the more common treatment approaches include a CPAP mask, lifestyle changes, a different pillow or sleep surface, and a custom-made oral appliance. Sometimes your dentist may suggest using two or more of these options.
Why Sleep Apnea is a Serious Matter
Getting plenty of good, refreshing rest is essential to living a healthy, active life. But many things can interfere with the quality of our slumber, such as partial airway collapse.
When this becomes a common problem, we say the person is suffering from sleep apnea. Here are some of the typical warning signs of this condition:
- Consistent daytime drowsiness: failing to get the rest at night you need can impair your ability to stay energetic and alert during the day.
- Dry mouth: this problem can have many causes. Often times, it’s a sign that you’re having trouble breathing while asleep.
- Anger, depression, or anxiety: your brain needs adequate rest if it’s to function on an even keel. Those who suffer from apnea often feel edgy or downbeat for no obvious reason.
- Becoming clumsy or accident-prone: those with sleep apnea may have difficulty performing common tasks such as operating machinery or driving a car.
- Morning headaches: if you wake up in the morning with an aching head, then sleep apnea may be the cause.
- Persistent or unusually loud snoring: if your partner tells you that your snoring in Reno has become unbearable, then it’s time to see your dentist or other healthcare provider.
Common Treatments for Sleep Apnea
Modern medicine has many ways to treat sleep apnea. Some of the more common approaches include:
- A CPAP mask: this method uses a device that maintains a constant positive flow of air into the patient’s mouth through a facemask, keeping the airways open.
- A custom-made oral appliance: these are usually manufactured by a medical laboratory in conjunction with your local dentist. He or she will take a series of measurements and create images of your oral profile, which the lab will use to craft the product. Because it’s made just for you, it can offer better results than you would get from generic mass-produced versions.
- A different pillow or sleep surface: mattresses and pillows are like any other product: they eventually wear out and need replacing. This may play a contributing role in your apnea, especially if you often wake up stiff and sore.
- Sleep coaching tips: sometimes simply switching to a different sleep position can help apnea patients to manage their condition.
- Lifestyle changes: sleep apnea is generally associated with other conditions, such as excess weight, diabetes, tobacco use, and physical inactivity. Eating right and getting enough exercise can often relieve the symptoms.
Sometimes a combination of these approaches is the key to obtaining relief. For example, your dentist may recommend using an oral appliance along with a CPAP mask.
Sleep apnea is a serious problem that you dare not ignore. See your dentist or other healthcare professional soon if you suspect you’re suffering from this condition. Prompt treatment can give you back the restful sleep you deserve.
About the Author
Dr. Michael Britting is a skilled general dentist who brings a patient-centered focus to his practice here at Summit Boulevard Dental. He is a member of the American Dental Association and the American Academy of Implant Dentistry. You can reach his office online or by calling (775) 683-3008.