REGAIN YOUR NIGHT’S SLEEP BY TREATING SLEEP APNEA!
There are few things more frustrating than being unable to get a good night’s sleep. Without a healthy amount of sleep, even the most basic tasks become extremely difficult throughout the day. Even worse, sleep conditions increase your risk of other systemic illnesses, such as cardiovascular disease and stroke.
Luckily, there is a way to regain your sleep and dramatically reduce your health risks. Dr. Martin Barco offers sleep apnea treatment that’s proven effective for many individuals. Contact our office to get started!
WHAT IS SLEEP APNEA?
Sleep apnea is a disorder that interrupts a person’s ability to get proper rest throughout the night. Episodes of sleep apnea occur when oral tissue or structures, typically the tongue, soft or hard palate, or tonsils block the airway during sleep. When the airway is blocked and you don’t get enough oxygen, the body goes into panic mode and triggers you to wake up to prevent suffocation.
While an oral obstruction is the most common cause of sleep apnea, it’s also common in obese individuals who have increased fat deposits in their neck, leading to a blocked upper airway.
HOW COMMON IS SLEEP APNEA?
The most common form of sleep apnea is obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and is estimated to affect over 29 million American men and women, according to a report from the American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM.)
Unfortunately, it’s also estimated that an overwhelming majority of moderate and severe cases go undiagnosed, leaving many people at risk of poor sleep. For this reason, it’s often referred to as a hidden health crisis in the United States. In that same report from the AASM, it’s estimated that untreated sleep apnea causes $87 billion in lost productivity.
HOW DO I KNOW IF I HAVE SLEEP APNEA?
Keep in mind that sleep apnea doesn’t go undiagnosed often for no reason. It’s very difficult to diagnose if there aren’t enough symptoms to consider. A poor night’s sleep can be attributed to many causes, but if your lethargy is accompanied by any of the following, it may be time to see one of our dentists for further examination.
- Frequent loud snoring
- Gasping for air during sleep
- Decreases in attention, concentration or motor skills
- Chronic dry mouth and headaches when waking
- Nighttime urination
HOW IS SLEEP APNEA TREATED?
If you’re suffering from sleep apnea, the dentists at Barco Family Dentistry can create a custom-made dental appliance known as the SomnoMed. These devices are designed to gently shift the position of the jaw and keep the airway clear. This leads to reduced sleep apnea events and much better sleep overall! What’s even better is the results being typically instantaneous, so you’ll quickly learn if it’s the best solution for you.
Tired of always being tired? Not sure where else to turn for your sleep woes? Contact our office today to confirm your diagnosis and get sleep apnea treatment in Bloomington!