There are over 200,000 new cases of sleep apnea diagnosed in the United States every year. People with this condition have their airways blocked and stop breathing in their sleep. This can happen once or twice or several thousand times a night.
People with sleep apnea often do not get good sleep, as they are repeatedly waking up in an attempt to get enough oxygen into the body. Sufferers are often irritable, prone to weight gain, and may have attention problems. This is more than a minor inconvenience. Sleep apnea can be fatal.
One of the most obvious symptoms of sleep apnea is snoring. Many times, a sufferer will not know they have the condition until alerted by a partner.
A sleep test can be used to diagnose the disorder. Once it is determined that you have it, treatment options can be explored.
The traditional treatment for sleep apnea is a CPAP machine. These machines tend to be loud, bulky, and uncomfortable. Many people decide using it to be too great an inconvenience.
At Harder Dental Corporation, we offer less intrusive corrective devices to help you deal with sleep apnea. Oral appliances can help keep your airways open without the hassle of CPAP machines and can help you get a better night’s sleep. These oral appliances are often similar to a night guard, so they are comfortable and simple to use. There are many different designs, and two major formats, so there is an appliance option for almost everyone.
If you suspect you have sleep apnea or believe that it is an emergency, you should talk to your doctor or dentist right away. If you are in the Irvine area and want to learn more about this devastating sleep disorder or oral appliances, make an appointment at Harder Dental Corporation today.
