Getting quality sleep is vital to living a healthy and productive life. Sleep is needed to ensure everything in your mind and body is working correctly. Not getting enough quality sleep can cause many problems including:
- Weight gain
- Consuming more calories than needed
- Inability to concentrate and be productive
- Unable to get the proper amount of exercise
- Higher risk of heart disease and stroke
- Higher risk of developing pre-diabetes
- Higher risk of suffering from depression
- Impairs immune function
- Higher risk of suffering from inflammation
- Reduces ability to interact normally in a social setting
- Not being alert enough to drive a car puts many people at risk
Obstructive Sleep Apnea in Newport News, VA
If you have concerns about the quality of sleep you are getting, it may be time to seek professional help. We offer a number of sleep apnea treatment solutions. A sleep disorder may be the cause of your issues. One of the most common types of sleep disorders includes obstructive sleep apnea, where breathing is repeatedly interrupted during sleep.
Dr. William Harper is Board Certified in Dental Sleep Medicine and offers treatment to his patients from Newport News, VA. While he is unable to diagnose obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), Dr. Harper works with many different physicians and will help you through the process of getting a diagnosis.
How Sleep Apnea Sneakily Wrecks Your Health
Sleep apnea is like a thief that steals your breath and your health night after night. Every time you stop breathing, your body panics like you’re being choked. This stress makes your blood pressure jump and your heart work overtime.
Over months and years, this can lead to serious problems like heart attacks, strokes, and diabetes. Even your brain suffers. Without good sleep, you’ll have trouble remembering things and might feel depressed. The scary part is that most people don’t even know it’s happening to them while they sleep.
Sleep Apnea Symptoms
Many people are confused about why a dentist may be involved in the diagnosis and treatment of a sleep disorder. Even though it is a medical issue, Dr. Harper is well-versed in spotting the symptoms of obstructive sleep apnea. One of the first noticeable signs includes bruxism (teeth grinding) which will cause worn down or broken teeth and inflamed or receding gums.
Another obvious sign is loud snoring which will cause the throat to be sore. If Dr. Harper notices any sleep apnea symptoms, he will recommend that you be evaluated by a sleep physician. Other symptoms of OSA include:
- Gasping for air during sleep
- If a sleep partner notices that you stop breathing while asleep
- Dry mouth when awakening
- Extremely tired during the day
- Irritable (more than usual)
- Headache when waking up
- Issues staying alert and paying attention
- Difficulty staying asleep (insomnia)
- Teeth grinding
- Loud snoring
CPAP vs. Oral Devices: What’s the Difference?
You’ve probably heard of CPAP machines, or the mask-and-hose contraptions that blow air while you sleep. They work well but feel like sleeping with a vacuum cleaner on your face. That’s why many people give up on them.
Oral appliances are the comfortable alternative. They look like a slim sports mouthguard and gently move your jaw forward to keep your airway open. No machines, no noise, no hoses. Just pop it in at night and sleep normally. While CPAPs are best for severe cases, Dr. Harper’s custom oral devices work great for most people with mild to moderate sleep apnea.
Treating Sleep Apnea in Newport News, VA
After you have undergone sleep testing with your physician and been diagnosed with sleep apnea, then we can move forward with treatment. Dr. Harper will work with your physician to analyze the results of your sleep test to determine the best treatment for you.
If you have been diagnosed with mild to moderate OSA, Dr. Harper will recommend oral appliance therapy to treat it.
Dr. Harper offers many kinds of oral appliances to treat his patients from Newport News, VA, who suffer from sleep apnea. He works with each patient on an individual basis to find the right appliance that will be most effective for their needs. The sleep appliance will be custom made to fit comfortably in the mouth.
They should be worn while sleeping to reduce the health risks associated with sleep apnea. The sleep appliance works by moving the jaw to a forward position and this increases the size of the airway. This will reduce air resistance that leads to snoring and sleep apnea.
Simple Tricks to Sleep Better Starting Tonight
While you need professional treatment for sleep apnea, these easy changes can help right away:
- Sleep on your side because back sleeping makes apnea worse.
- Lose a few pounds if needed. Even 10% weight loss helps.
- Avoid alcohol before bed because it relaxes throat muscles too much.
- Try nasal strips if you’re stuffy. They help you breathe easier.
- Stick to regular sleep hours to keep your body clock on a regular schedule.
Remember, these are just temporary helpers, not cures. But they can make nights more restful while you’re getting proper treatment. If you or your partner notice snoring or breathing pauses at night, call Dr. Harper at (757) 600-6535 to get checked for sleep apnea before it causes bigger health problems.
Schedule An Appointment Today
If you have been diagnosed by your physician with sleep apnea, schedule a consultation with Dr. Harper at Coastal Sleep & TMJ to learn more about the benefits of oral appliance therapy.
It’s important to treat your sleep disorder because of the risk of developing larger health problems. Nightly use of an oral sleep appliance is key to reducing the health risks associated with OSA.