Sleep Apnea Treatment – Lockport, IL
Protect Your Overall Health and Wellbeing
Did you know that snoring can not only be bad, but a sign of a larger underlying health problem? In fact, sleep breathing disorders are one of the most common (and most serious) health problems in the United States. Snoring is a common sign that sleep apnea, a potentially life-threatening condition, may be present. At Grand Dental – Lockport, our dentists are trained to recognize the early signs of sleep apnea, so you can get the dedicated solutions for sleep apnea treatment from our Lockport, IL dental team to protect yourself, all while meeting your lifestyle needs.
Why Choose Grand Dental - Lockport for Sleep Apnea Treatment?
- Lower Your Risk of Systemic Health Conditions
- Sleep Appliances Customized to You
- Wake Up Feeling Well-Rested
Why Sleep Apnea is So Dangerous?
It’s obvious that sleep apnea interrupts sleep, but why does this matter? For one, apnea literally means “without breath,” and if more people realized that, they would take the condition far more seriously. For example, if snoring stops, it usually means that your airway is blocked and you’re not getting the oxygen you need. Thankfully, the body recognizes this and forces you awake so you don’t suffocate. However, with every apnea that occurs, it becomes more and more difficult to get the oxygen (and sleep) you need to be healthy.
Another common sign of untreated sleep apnea is chronic fatigue for this reason. Not only can this negatively affect you, but it can affect the people around you as well. For example, those who are sleep-deprived are actually at higher risk of causing a car accident than someone impaired by excessive alcohol consumption.
Keep in mind that extreme fatigue isn’t your only concern if you have sleep apnea. For example, you also increase your risk for:
- High blood pressure
- Irregular heartbeat
- Silent and/or mini strokes
- Heart attacks
- Heart failure
- Worsened ADHD
- Depression
The Symptoms of Sleep Apnea
Snoring is a common symptom, but it’s hardly the only one to know about. Others include:
- Tiredness
- Dry mouth
- Sore throat
- Severe daytime sleepiness
- Insomnia
- Nighttime restlessness
- Difficulty with memory or concentration
- Inability to sleep through the night
Do you or a partner suffer from these symptoms? If so, call us!
How We Can Help
We work directly with your primary doctor so you can complete a sleep study. One of the first steps we take is prescribing you a forced-air device, also known as a continuous positive airway pressure machine (or CPAP.) This helps keep your airway open through the night. Since compliance can be an issue with CPAP machines, custom-made sleep apnea devices that work similar to nightguards can also be made. These shift the position of your jaw to keep the airway clear, significantly reducing the number of apneas you experience
Sleep Apnea FAQs
Does everyone who snores have sleep apnea?
Although snoring is a symptom of sleep apnea, it is not a clear indicator that you suffer from it. Underlying health problems can often cause snoring, so it’s important that you talk to a professional who can determine if the two are connected.
If you are concerned that your snoring is causing you to experience paused breathing throughout the night, there is a good chance it may be sleep apnea. It’s always best to schedule an appointment with your dentist to discuss your concerns and any symptoms you may experience.
Can I diagnose sleep apnea on my own?
You may recognize some of the symptoms associated with sleep apnea; however, you cannot diagnose it on your own. You must undergo a sleep study and receive a formal diagnosis by a licensed physician. If you need help taking this first step, you can look up “sleep study near me” to find a location.
The various factors a sleep study will track will be analyzed and used to determine if you have sleep apnea. If so, you can meet with your dentist in Lockport to discuss your treatment options.
Will sleep apnea go away if I lose weight?
Although it is not guaranteed that your sleep apnea symptoms will go away completely, losing weight can alleviate some of the issues causing airway obstruction. Excess fat accumulates around the neck, narrowing the throat and making it harder for air to pass through. Losing weight can reduce some of the symptoms you experience, improving your nightly rest and breathing abilities.
How should I clean my sleep apnea oral appliance?
Using an oral appliance to treat sleep apnea requires proper cleaning. This includes removing it immediately after you wake up and rinsing it. You will then use a soft-bristle toothbrush to gently clean it, removing any dried saliva and bacteria that accumulated overnight. Once you are finished, place it in a protective case so it does not become lost or broken. You might also find it beneficial to use a denture cleaner to soak your oral appliance in until it is time to wear it before bed.