Sleep Apnea

Sleep apnea is a condition in which a person’s breathing is interrupted during sleep. 

• The most common type of sleep apnea is obstructive sleep apnea, which occurs when the throat muscles relax and block the airway. It is estimated that up to 30 million Americans suffer from this form of sleep apnea.
• Sleep apnea can also be caused by a problem with the brain’s signaling to the muscles that control breathing. This is called central sleep apnea. 

People with sleep apnea often snore loudly and wake up frequently during the night. They may also feel tired during the day. Sleep apnea is a serious condition that can result in a variety of serious health issues, including high blood pressure, stroke, and other medical complications. 

If you think you might have sleep apnea, it is imperative that you consult your doctor as soon as possible. Your doctor will be able to order a sleep study in order to confirm a diagnosis. Our team members in Greenville, NC can then provide appropriate treatment for the condition.

Symptoms of Sleep Apnea

Some common symptoms of sleep apnea include:

• Loud snoring
• Episodes of breathing pauses during sleep
• Excessive daytime sleepiness or fatigue
• Insomnia
• Restless sleep
• Observed gasping or choking during sleep

If you have any of these symptoms, you should consult a doctor as soon as possible.

Risk Factors

There are several risk factors that may increase your likelihood of developing sleep apnea. These include:

• Being overweight
• Having a large neck circumference
• Having a family history of sleep apnea
• Smoking or vaping
• Drinking alcohol
• Use of certain drugs (such as sedatives or opiates)

If you believe that you fall into one of these risk categories, you should speak with your physician about the possibility of having or developing sleep apnea. By better understanding the risk factors, you may be able to mitigate your risk by avoiding certain contributing factors.

Oral Appliance Therapy

If you’re struggling with sleep apnea, there are a few things you can do to provide relief. First, try sleeping on your side instead of your back. This can help reduce snoring and improve your breathing. You may also find that a healthier diet and exercise can help ease the symptoms. Overall, there are many home remedies you may be able to try, but we strongly recommend combining any efforts with oral appliance therapy. 

Oral appliances can help by preventing airway obstruction. This can be done by holding the tongue in place or by supporting the jaw in a forward position. This works by opening up the space between the tongue and the roof of the mouth and allowing more air to enter the lungs – thereby increasing airflow and preventing oral obstruction.

Oral appliances are generally well tolerated and have few adverse effects. The most common side effect is excess saliva production. This usually goes away after a few weeks of use as your body adjusts to the appliance.