Sleep Apnea Therapy – Weyauwega, WI
Finally Get the Rest You Deserve
Does your partner complain about your loud snoring? Are you tired throughout the day? You may be tempted to brush these symptoms off as simple, little annoyances, but they could indicate that something more serious is happening with your health. At our practice in Weyauwega, we care about the overall well-being of our patients, not just their teeth, so you can trust that we’ll be able to help you overcome this common problem.
Sleep apnea is a disorder where a person’s breathing stops for more than 10 seconds multiple times during the night. The most common kind of sleep apnea is called obstructive sleep apnea, where the soft tissues in the mouth and throat relax and collapse into the airway, blocking the flow of air. When this happens, the body panics and partially wakes up to restore breathing. This can happen hundreds of times a night, and it prevents a person from getting the deep, restful sleep they need to feel awake and focused during the day, hindering their quality of life.
Signs of Sleep Apnea
If you frequently have to deal with chronic exhaustion, moods swings, or focus/memory problems, sleep apnea could very likely be the cause. Other symptoms include the following:
- Loud snoring.
- Daytime drowsiness.
- High blood pressure.
- Morning headaches.
- Hypertension.
- Decreased libido.
- Irritability.
Dangers of Not Treating Sleep Apnea
What can happen if your sleep apnea remains untreated or undiscovered? Sleep apnea has been found to cause several health issues, including high blood pressure and hypertension, which are common risk factors for the leading cause of death in both men and women in the United States—heart disease.
In addition, studies have shown that driving while drowsy can be just as dangerous as driving while intoxicated. In pregnant women, sleep apnea has been known to lead to complications, such as preterm birth and preeclampsia. By taking control of your sleep apnea through holistic treatment, you can reduce these outcomes, improving your quality of life for the long haul.
Child Obstructive Sleep Apnea
Sleep apnea doesn’t just affect adults. If your child snores, don’t ignore it! It could mean that they have this sleep condition, which can impact their physical growth, developmental milestones, and their ability to succeed in school.
Treating Sleep Apnea
In some cases, a CPAP machine is used to address sleep apnea, but many find that this machine interferes with their rest even more than the sleep apnea! Fortunately, as a holistic dentist, Dr. Twohig can provide relief from these symptoms using a small, custom-made oral appliance. It will slightly shift the jaw forward in order to keep the facial tissues from relaxing and blocking the airway. With this non-invasive appliance, your airways can remain open and clear, allowing you to sleep peacefully throughout the night and enjoy significantly more energy throughout the day.
Is this small oral appliance really that effective at helping your sleep? According to the U.S. Department of Health, 100 percent of patients who use an oral appliance say that they experience improvement in daytime functions. About 75 percent reduced their sleep apnea by more than 50 percent. That’s significant progress! Just think of the good it could do for you and your family.
Are you, a bed partner, or your child suffering from sleep apnea? Contact us today to learn more about how Dr. Twohig can help you start sleeping better tonight!
Sleep Apnea FAQs
Are you in need of sleep apnea treatment? Do you want to find a way to sleep and breathe better throughout the night? If so, Dr. Twohig and his team can provide the care you need to improve your quality of life. But before you get started, we understand you may have many questions about your current condition, which is why we have compiled some frequently asked questions for you to review. We invite you to read over the following information and contact us with any additional questions or concerns you might have.
What are the symptoms of sleep apnea?
The most common symptoms associated with sleep apnea include:
- Loud snoring
- Chronic fatigue
- Morning headaches
- Forgetfulness
- Gasping or choking sensation that causes you to wake throughout the night
- Dry mouth or throat
- Insomnia
- Lack of libido
- Irritability and/or angry spouse
While not all individuals with sleep apnea will experience all the above-mentioned symptoms, it is important that you and your partner evaluate how you feel as well as your feelings and emotions to determine if sleep apnea treatment is necessary for you.
How can sleep apnea lead to cardiovascular problems?
If you have obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), you may experience ceased breathing for 10 or more seconds while asleep. Because this can happen hundreds of times each night, it causes a need for the brain to signal the body to wake and breathe. When this happens, your blood pressure can rise and lower over and over again. Over time and without proper treatment, this rollercoaster your body experiences can cause arrhythmia, stroke, and even heart failure.
How is sleep apnea treated and which treatment is best?
There are currently numerous methods of treatment available that you and your dentist can discuss. While some individuals have luck with CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure) therapy, others prefer a less bulky and more manageable solution such as oral appliance therapy. Instead of wearing a mask over your mouth and nose while you sleep, you can choose to wear a customized oral device that fits inside your mouth and shifts your jaw forward to keep your airway open while you sleep.
To know which treatment is best for your needs, you’ll need to schedule an appointment with Dr. Twohig to discuss your personal preferences and the severity of your sleep apnea. In some cases, it is possible to undergo CPAP and oral appliance therapy at the same time.
I snore, does that mean I have sleep apnea?
No, just because you snore does not mean you have sleep apnea, and vice versa. While snoring is one of the most common symptoms associated with OSA, it could be that your age, weight, lifestyle habits (i.e. smoking, alcohol consumption), current medications, sinus congestion, or body structure are reasons you snore. If your partner shares that you snore and often gasp for air while sleeping, you will likely need to be tested for OSA; however, if you can breathe normally but simply snore because your throat is narrow or are experiencing nasal congestion, there’s little reason to be too concerned.
What if I have already been diagnosed with sleep apnea?
If you’ve already been formally diagnosed with sleep apnea, Dr. Twohig and his team can help you find the right solution to achieve better sleep and breathe easier at night. By examining the severity of your sleep apnea, he can recommend a customized oral device that you can wear at night while sleeping. Not only will it keep your airway open, but these appliances are non-invasive and easy to use.