405-848-7780
Sleep Apnea Treatment
Edmond, Lawton, Norman, and Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
Sleep apnea is a type of sleep disorder that can lead to numerous side effects and symptoms. It occurs when breathing actually stops for a short period of time during sleep. Most commonly, this is because the soft tissues of the airway collapse when they relax during sleep. The body must partially awaken in order to start breathing again, thus disrupting sleep.
Diagnosing Sleep Apnea
Although there are many common symptoms of sleep apnea, the symptoms can only provide a suspicion of the condition, not a diagnosis. The only way to diagnose sleep apnea is with a sleep study. There are two kinds of sleep study: one performed at a sleep center, and the other a take-home test.
Sleep center tests were for a long time the only sleep study considered valid. You will sleep at a sleep center where your sleep patterns will be monitored using a polysomnogram. A polysomnogram is a piece of equipment that monitors a number of aspects of your condition as you sleep, including breathing patterns and blood oxygen saturation.
Recently, take-home sleep studies have been shown to be just as accurate in diagnosing sleep apnea as sleep studies performed at a sleep center, making them a good option for many people who cannot conveniently schedule a night at a sleep center. The take-home sleep study equipment monitors many of the same things as the polysomnogram at the sleep center, but is a simple piece of equipment you can use at home following straightforward directions.
If you are concerned you may have sleep apnea, we can put you in touch with a local sleep center that can either perform the test or equip you with a take-home sleep study.
Treating Sleep Apnea
There are several treatments for sleep apnea, and which one is right for you depends partly on the severity of your sleep apnea. Oklahoma City area dentist Dr. Terry Bass can help diagnose sleep apnea and provide treatment. One common treatment for mild to moderate sleep apnea is a special appliance which, when worn at night, helps keep the soft tissues open so that air may flow freely. Another common treatment is a Continuous Positive Air Pressure (CPAP) machine. This machine provides a constant flow of air into the mouth and throat, keeping the air passages open so that breathing—and sleep—is not interrupted.
Some minor cases of sleep apnea can be treated with exercise or weight loss. Smoking cessation can also alleviate sleep apnea, as can reduced consumption of alcohol. Another approach to sleep apnea treatment is exercises that help strengthen the muscles at the back of the throat. Consulting with Dr. Bass and/or your general physician can help determine the cause of your sleep apnea as well as the best treatment.
If you live in the Oklahoma City area and are suffering from excessive snoring, please contact the offices of Terry Bass, DDS. By evaluating your symptoms, Dr. Bass can determine if you have sleep apnea, and can recommend an appropriate treatment.
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