Sleep Apnea and Snoring Solutions
What is Sleep Apnea?
Sleep apnea, particularly obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), is a very common affliction that affects a large number of Americans. What you may not know is that OSA can be a life-threatening medical condition. Symptoms of OSA, such as intense snoring, gasping during sleep, and other instances of impeded breath, are typically caused by an obstructed airway or nasal passage, causing you to struggle for breath and potentially stop breathing for many seconds at a time. Since this occurs during sleep, you may not even be aware that it’s happening. In addition to being a skilled dentist at The Center for Innovative Dentistry and Facial Aesthetics, Dr. Yasaman Roland is also a sleep apnea specialist and offers many helpful treatment options that can reduce the risks associated with sleep apnea as well as diminish snoring.
Sleep Apnea Signs and Symptoms
It is not unusual for individuals with sleep apnea to experience different symptoms. While snoring or frequent pauses in breath are common indicators of the condition, these occurrences often go unnoticed by sleeping patients. However, signs of sleep apnea can also manifest in other physical, emotional, and physiological symptoms, including:
- Waking up gasping or choking for breath
- Frequent trips to the bathroom
- Trouble concentrating
- Constant fatigue
- Moodiness, irritability, or feelings of depression
- Waking up with a sore throat or dry mouth
Many men and women who show signs of sleep apnea don’t realize it until the problem is brought to their attention by a loved one. Due to the health risks presented by sleep apnea—some of which can be life threatening—it is important to seek treatment as soon as it is suspected that you or a loved one may be afflicted by the condition. Dr. Roland can assess your symptoms during a consultation and determine the most effective course of action to help you manage your sleep apnea.
Sleep Apnea Health Risks
A variety of health risks are associated with sleep apnea. They include:
- Sudden cardiac death
- High blood pressure
- Heart disease
- Erectile dysfunction
- Gastric reflux
- Loss of memory
In addition to the health risks posed by sleep apnea, regularly occurring symptoms—such as snoring—can have an effect on your emotions as well as your intimate relationships.
Causes of Sleep Apnea
Sleep apnea is diagnosed in two main forms: obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and central sleep apnea (CSA). Obstructive sleep apnea is the most common manifestation of the condition and is caused by excessive relaxation of soft tissues within the throat or nasal passages. This can block airflow and prevent oxygen from reaching the brain, often resulting in episodes of choking or gasping for breath. In contrast, central sleep apnea is caused by the brain failing to send proper signals to the muscles that control breathing, leading to interrupted breathing patterns. In rare cases, breathing is affected by a mix of both OSA and CSA— a circumstance known as “complex sleep apnea.”
Individuals who are obese can have a higher incidence of sleep apnea due to a greater amount of fat in the throat, a larger surface area around the throat, and the possibility of an enlarged tongue or tonsils. No matter the cause, Dr. Roland can utilize simple yet effective solutions to help you treat your sleep apnea and achieve a healthy night’s sleep.
Sleep Apnea and Snoring Treatment with Oral Appliances
Fifty percent of people who get a CPAP (Continuous Positive Airway Pressure) device—one of the most common treatments for sleep apnea and snoring—stop using it within 12 months. Consequently, those who leave their obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) untreated can increase their chances of stroke, heart attack and heart failure. Untreated OSA has also been known to reduce one’s life expectancy by 20 percent. Dr. Yasaman Roland offers a solution for patients who have become intolerant of the CPAP.
Using a non-invasive approach, Dr. Roland employs personalized techniques to not only alleviate the symptoms of sleep apnea, but also correct the underlying physiological causes of the condition so that an individual’s sleep apnea is resolved and ongoing treatment is unnecessary. This can be achieved in a couple of different ways. For patients who would benefit from comprehensive reformation of the oral structures, Dr. Roland works to realign the bones and muscles in such a way that clears the airway of blockages and obstructions, thereby eliminating a patient’s sleep apnea.
Depending on your needs, clearance of restricted airways may also be achieved with a customized, FDA-approved oral medical appliance designed to hold the jaw in a proper positioning during sleep, allowing an open passageway through which oxygen can travel. This can keep soft tissue from collapsing and blocking airflow, eliminating both snoring and OSA. Unlike the oral appliances found on the market, Dr. Roland prescribes and tailors each appliance according to your unique physiology and anatomy. She has had great results treating mild to moderate sleep apnea with her comprehensive techniques and would be happy to talk with you about options that can alleviate your condition.
Extraordinary care! I was referred to Dr. Roland by my ENT for treatment of a sleep obstructive disorder; I had severe neck spasms and horrible snoring for ten years. Dr. Roland and Debbie immediately made me feel very comfortable and at ease. The treatment plan was explained in detail. Within 2 weeks of the treatment I was spasm free and the snoring stopped. My ENT told me if the sleep obstructive disorder was left untreated, I could develop medical conditions as well as mental health issues, such as depression. I am so grateful for Dr. Roland’s help. I can not imagine how life would be without the treatment.
Obstructive sleep apnea and snoring can lead to serious health conditions. However, there are treatments available that can help. Please contact Dr. Yasaman Roland to find out more about treatment options, or to schedule a consultation.