You and your loved ones do not have to suffer from the debilitating symptoms of sleep apnea. Our dentists and team are committed to helping you rest better at night, improving your overall health and getting you back into bed with your partner. If you suffer from sleep apnea or some other sleep-related breathing disorder, we are here to help you. When people think about sleep apnea treatment, they often only know about CPAP therapy and are hesitant to seek treatment because they do not want to deal with a noisy, inconvenient machine. Here at Allegheny Dental Sleep Center, however, we can provide oral appliance therapy as an alternative to CPAP devices, and we will work one-on-one with you to create a customized oral appliance that will be effective for you and less disruptive for those sleeping around you.
Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) is the most common form of sleep apnea. OSA is a serious medical condition and is characterized by interruptions and pauses in your breathing patterns while you sleep. These interruptions are typically the result of obstructions in your airway, such as the tongue rolling back in the throat or the soft tissues of the throat collapsing. Those who suffer from OSA have a fragmented and disrupted sleep pattern, as well as lower oxygen levels in their body while asleep.
Because this condition is a sleep-related disorder, it can be difficult to diagnose. In fact, we have found that in many cases, people who suffer from OSA are unaware that they have the problem, and the condition is first noticed by their loved ones witnessing them while asleep and realizing that something is wrong with their sleeping and breathing patterns. You might think certain symptoms you notice are nothing out of the ordinary, or not severe enough to warrant visiting a sleep-professional, and ignore them, but you should discuss any sleeping abnormalities you notice with your loved one who exhibits them.
The most common symptoms of sleep apnea include:
- Snoring (especially loud snoring)
- Choking, gasping or snoring sounds while asleep
- Gasping or choking sensations while asleep
- Insomnia
- Hypersomnia (excessive daytime drowsiness)
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Irritability and moodiness
- Long pauses in breathing while asleep
- Abrupt awakenings during the night
- Shortness of breath when waking
- Headaches upon waking
- Dry mouth or sore throat upon waking
- Poor, fitful or restless sleep
- Frequent visits to the bathroom during the night
- Memory impairment
- Difficulty focusing
Sleep apnea is a serious condition on its own, but it has been known to also contribute to other serious health conditions, such as heart disease, high blood pressure and liver problems, and is even linked to mental health issues, such as anxiety and depression. Our caring team believes that consistently good sleep is vital for your overall health, and we are dedicated to helping you understand your condition and finding a solution that will help you rest better and regain your health. Come and meet with us today and let us help you alleviate the symptoms of sleep apnea you are suffering from.
If you have any further questions or concerns about sleep apnea treatment in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and if you want to schedule your free consultation with our dentists, please give us a call at 412-315-7934 , then learn more about our oral appliance therapy by following the link below: