Sleep Apnea Treatment Downtown San Francisco, SOMA & East Cut
Sleep Apnea, Upper Airway Resistance Syndrome, and Snoring
People with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) have disrupted sleep and low blood oxygen levels. When obstructive sleep apnea occurs, the tongue is sucked against the back of the throat. This blocks the upper airway and airflow stops. When the oxygen level in the brain becomes low enough, the sleeper partially awakens, the obstruction in the throat clears, and the flow of air starts again, usually with a loud gasp.
Snoring, excessive daytime sleepiness, memory problems, irritability, depression, fatigue and insomnia are all signs that you could be losing shut-eye to sleep apnea. If left untreated, sleep apnea can be a potentially life threatening condition. It can increase the risk for other serious health problems such as high blood pressure, stroke, heart disease, diabetes, obesity, cancer, Alzheimer’s depression and impotence.
Some patients have obstructions that are less severe called Upper Airway Resistance Syndrome (UARS). In either case, the individuals suffer many of the same symptoms.
Sleep Apnea Treatment
The first step in treatment for sleep apnea resides in recognition of the symptoms and seeking appropriate consultation.
Symptoms include:
- Unexplained daytime sleepiness
- Restless sleep
- Loud snoring with or without periods of silence followed by gasps
- Clenching and teeth grinding
- Dry mouth upon waking
- Morning headaches
- Insomnia
- Trouble concentrating
- Mood changes
- Forgetfulness
- Increased heart rate and/or blood pressure
- Decreased sex drive
- Unexplained weight gain
- Changes in urination
- Frequent heartburn and heavy night sweats
Treatment Options for Sleep Apnea
There are several treatment options available. An initial treatment may consist of using a nasal CPAP machine that delivers pressurized oxygen through a nasal mask to limit obstruction at night.
Oral appliance therapy is an effective, non-invasive treatment option for snoring and obstructive sleep apnea that fits easily into your lifestyle. A dental oral appliance looks like a sports mouth guard and is worn only during sleep. It supports the jaw in a forward position to help maintain an open upper airway, preventing sleep apnea and snoring.
Once you have been diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnea by a sleep physician, a dentist experienced in dental sleep medicine can make a custom-fitted oral appliance using impressions and models of your teeth. Oral appliance therapy is covered by many medical insurance plans. Patients like it because it’s comfortable, easy to wear, quiet, portable, convenient for travel and easy to clean.
Treating snoring or sleep apnea with oral appliance therapy can help you feel like a new person. You will find that your symptoms, and your quality of life, can improve dramatically when you remain committed to your treatment and use it nightly. Custom-fit oral appliances from our can improve your sleep, restore your alertness and revitalize your health.
If you have concerns about snoring and sleep apnea, it may be time to make an appointment. If you suspect you may have sleep apnea, I can recommend a sleep physician to help get you started on your path to treatment. If you have already been diagnosed with sleep apnea, I can fit you with an oral appliance. Our team is ready to answer your questions about obstructive sleep apnea, dental sleep medicine and oral appliance therapy.
One of the surgical options is an uvulo-palato-pharyngo-plasty (UPPP), which is performed in the back of the soft palate and throat. A similar procedure is sometimes done with the assistance of a laser and is called a laser assisted uvulo-palato-plasty (LAUPP). In other cases, a radio-frequency probe is utilized to tighten the soft palate. These procedures are usually performed under light IV sedation in the office.
In more complex cases, the bones of the upper and lower jaw may be repositioned to increase the size of the airway (orthognathic surgery). This procedure is done in the hospital under general anesthesia and requires a one to two day overnight stay in the hospital.
OSA is a very serious condition that needs careful attention and treatment. Most major medical plans offer coverage for diagnosis and treatment.
Check out this blog for more information on proper nasal breathing. Mute Snoring Blog and this one on Somnifix mouth tapping: Somnifix Blog
Some of my favorite books to read for more information.
Breath: The Science of a Lost Art by James Nestor
Airway Management: A solution for Our Health Crisis by Steven Olmos
Why We Sleep by Matthew Walker
Sleep, Interrupted by Steven Y. Park
Jaws The Story of a Hidden Epidemic by Sandra Kahn and Paul R. Ehrlich
Gasp: Airway Health. The Hidden Path to Wellness by Michael Gelb
The Dental Diet by Steven Lin
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