Sleep Apnea Treatment Bullard

What Is Sleep Apnea?

Sleep apnea is a condition that affects your ability to sleep soundly throughout the night. The most common form is obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), which occurs when the soft and hard oral tissues collapse and partially or completely block the flow of oxygen from the lungs to the brain during sleep. Desperate for air, the brain sends out an emergency “wake up” signal -- a process which may occur hundreds of times in one night. However, the sufferer may not remember the waking/sleeping cycle in the morning. They just wake up feeling exhausted and irritable.

Anyone can develop sleep apnea, but certain risk factors are associated with the condition. These include:

• Being overweight or obese (the most significant risk factor)
• Age (over 55)
• Narrow airway
• Deviated septum
• Blocked sinuses
• Certain medications that affect sleep

What Are the Warning Signs of Sleep Apnea?

Because the symptoms closely resemble those of other conditions, sleep apnea may remain undiagnosed for years. However, learning about the warning signs of sleep apnea can help to ensure that you receive the treatment you need sooner rather than later. Left untreated, this condition can take a serious toll on your overall health -- including increasing your risk of heart attack, cardiovascular disease, stroke, and even premature death.

The warning signs of sleep apnea include:

• Chronic snoring
• Frequently waking up throughout the night (usually observed by a partner)
• Chronic fatigue or sleepiness even after a full night of sleep
• Nighttime teeth grinding
• Waking with a sore throat or dry mouth
• Insomnia
• Stippled tongue
• High blood pressure
• Diabetes
• Night terrors
• Frequent urination at night
• Headaches
• Breaking/fracturing teeth
• Night sweats
• Worn teeth
• Acid reflux

If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, make sure you call Dr. Morgan to set up a sleep study with a sleep lab.

How Is Sleep Apnea Treated?

The traditional treatment for sleep apnea has been with the CPAP, or continuous positive airway pressure machine. It’s a mask you wear while you sleep, and it works by keeping the airway open by pumping the lungs with a steady stream of air. This method provides relief for many patients and is a perfect treatment for those who are able to tolerate the machine, while others may find it more disruptive than the original symptoms of sleep apnea.

A custom oral appliance can provide a wonderful alternative to CPAP. This is a small device that is created according to your unique oral structures. It repositions your jaw to prevent its collapse and keep your airway clear during the night. Just like administering CPR, when you hold the chin forward, it opens the airway and allows the patient to breathe. The oral appliance is small, portable, and, best of all, completely silent!

Find Relief for Sleep Apnea Today!

If you suspect or know you are struggling with the exhausting effects of sleep apnea, please do not wait to seek treatment. Getting the help you need in a timely manner could save your life! Dr. Morgan can help you enjoy the benefits of a full, restful night’s sleep once again -- request an appointment today.

The Consequences of Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA)!

• Stroke: Men who suffer from moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnea are nearly three times more likely to have a stroke. The risk of stroke increases with the severity of the disease.
• Atrial fibrillation: With atrial fibrillation, a person has an irregular or rapid heartbeat, which increases their chances for heart-related complications, stroke, or heart failure. People who are suffering from OSA are four times more likely to experience atrial fibrillation. 
• Heart attack: OSA sufferers have a 30% higher risk of undergoing a heart attack or premature death. 
• Mood disturbance: People who suffer from OSA may experience depression, anxiety, loss of motivation, shortened attention span, moodiness, bad temper, and poorer judgment. 
• Daytime sleepiness: People who suffer from OSA have an increased risk for car accidents, impaired concentration and memory loss, reduced work efficiency, reduced work efficacy, and slower reaction time.
• Obesity: As sleep shortens or diminishes in quality, appetite for high-calorie food increases. Obesity is the best-documented risk factor for OSA. 
• Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD): GERD is common or chronic reflux that can manifest itself with many signs and symptoms. Sixty percent of OSA sufferers have GERD. 

Learn More about Pediatric Sleep Apnea

Sleep Apnea FAQs