FAQS ABOUT SLEEP APNEA

This sleep disorder is more common than you might have thought.

If you find yourself feeling exhausted, irritable, and slow despite getting enough hours of sleep, it could be because sleep apnea is robbing you of quality sleep. Read on to learn the answers to some of the most common questions regarding this issue, and call our Denver Sleep dentist, Dr. Steven Wilk, to schedule a consultation if you think that you may have developed the condition.

WHAT IS SLEEP APNEA?

Sleep apnea is a common disorder that causes pauses in breathing throughout a sleep period. These pauses, which can occur hundreds of times in one night, cause the body to be partially aroused, preventing it from procuring the quality sleep that it needs. These pauses also reduce the amount of oxygen that gets to the brain, which can lead to other serious health problems.

DOES SLEEP APNEA NEED TO BE TREATED?

Absolutely! While there are many people out there who may have sleep apnea but haven’t been diagnosed yet, it’s important that if you are experiencing the symptoms of sleep apnea that you turn to a sleep apnea doctor in Denver who can diagnose you as soon as possible. If left untreated, sleep apnea can greatly increase your risk for certain health problems such as,

• Cardiovascular disease
• High blood pressure
• Stroke
• Heart attack

WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF SLEEP APNEA?

Snoring is the most common symptom of sleep apnea, even though not everyone who snores has sleep apnea. Besides chronic snoring, other symptoms of sleep apnea include,

• Gasping or choking in the middle of the night
• Morning headaches
• Sore throat
• Extreme daytime fatigue
• Mental fog and trouble concentrating
• Irritability
• Being prone to accidents

HOW CAN A DENTIST TREAT SLEEP APNEA?

Most people think that only a sleep doctor can actually treat sleep apnea; however, Dr. Steven J. Wilk, your dentist in Denver, CO, can help as well. After all, as a board-certified practitioner, Dr. Wilk treats everything from TMJ to sleep disorders to tension headaches. Here at our office, we offer a custom oral appliance that fits over the teeth like a retainer and repositions the jaws to prevent the tissue or tongue from blocking the airways while you sleep. Oral appliance therapy is simple, comfortable, and easy to use. They are also covered by most insurance including Medicare.

WHO CAN BENEFIT FROM ORAL APPLIANCE THERAPY?

If you are dealing with obstructive sleep apnea, then oral appliance therapy may be right for you. Gone are the days when your only option was a CPAP mask. The American Academy of Sleep Medicine recommends Oral devices or CPAP for obstructive sleep apnea. If CPAP therapy isn’t right for you or isn’t providing you with relief, then oral appliance therapy might be able to help.

INTERESTED? GIVE US A CALL

Have more questions about oral appliance therapy? If so, call the experts at Center for Headache, TMJ, and Sleep Disorders in Denver, CO, to find out if oral appliance therapy is right for you. We can be reached at (303) 758-4865 or fill out our online form.