Is your loud snoring keeping your bed partner awake at night? Do you often feel exhausted or fatigued by the afternoon? Do you ever wake up with a headache or migraine? If you answered yes to any of these questions, you may be suffering from a sleep disorder called sleep apnea.
Sleep apnea most commonly occurs when your airway is blocked. The lack of oxygen signals your brain to wake you up. This happens multiple times throughout the night if you suffer from sleep apnea. In severe cases, you might wake up hundreds of times without even realizing it!
This is where your airway dentist in Oakbrook Terrace, IL, can help. At George Rivera, DDS, we offer solutions for sleep apnea with airway dentistry that uses oral appliances to gently reposition your jaw and open your airway for clear breathing during sleep. Here are some common myths and the truth about airway dentistry.
#1 Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) Therapy Is the Best Treatment for Sleep Apnea
While CPAP therapy is the medical standard for treating sleep apnea, many patients don't tolerate wearing a mask while they sleep, so they can't benefit from the treatment. In mild to moderate cases, a custom oral appliance can help patients manage sleep apnea and reclaim their rest.
#2 Sleep Apnea Is Not a Serious Condition
Sleep apnea can significantly impact your quality of life if not managed successfully. It also contributes to other health conditions like heart disease, high blood pressure, and stroke. In severe cases, sleep apnea can result in heart failure.
#3 Loud Snoring Means You Have Sleep Apnea
While loud snoring is a telling sign of sleep apnea, it doesn't necessarily mean you have the condition. A sleep study is required to properly diagnose sleep apnea and determine the level of its severity.
If you suspect you or a loved one may suffer from sleep apnea, contact your Oakbrook Terrace airway dentist at (630) 592-4949.