Sleep Apnea Therapy in Altamonte Springs, FL

Sleep apnea is a serious sleep disorder that causes brief and repeated interruptions in breathing during sleep. The most common form is obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), which occurs when the upper airway becomes blocked during sleep. Risk factors for OSA include being overweight or obese, a narrowed airway, or enlarged tonsils and adenoids. Snoring, gasping, and pauses in breathing while asleep are common symptoms of OSA.

What Are the Symptoms of Sleep Apnea?

The most common symptoms of sleep apnea are chronic snoring, fatigue, and excessive daytime sleepiness. In severe cases, people who suffer from sleep apnea can also experience depression, mood swings, and irritability.

The symptoms of sleep apnea are closely related to the symptoms of sleep deprivation. You may feel sleepy during the day and have trouble concentrating at work or at school. You may lack energy, feel fatigued, or gain weight. That’s why it’s so important to have sleep apnea treated as soon as possible.

What Is Sleep Apnea Therapy?

Sleep apnea therapy is a method of treating sleep apnea, which causes temporary interruptions in breathing during sleep. These interruptions can happen hundreds of times each night and often happen while the person is sleeping deeply.

Sleep apnea therapy treats sleep apnea by addressing its underlying cause. Therapy often includes an airway enlarging or breathing device that helps to keep the airways open while sleeping. There are different types of treatment for sleep apnea and our Dentist Altamonte Springs, FL can recommend the right treatment for you.

CPAP Therapy

The most common type of sleep apnea therapy uses a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machine. CPAP stands for “continuous positive airway pressure.” This therapy involves wearing a mask that blows air into your airway to keep it from collapsing when you sleep. This treatment helps many people with sleep apnea get a better night’s sleep.

Our doctors may recommend this therapy if you are overweight, have severe sleep apnea, or don’t tolerate surgery well. CPAP machines work by using a mask that covers the nose or nose and mouth. The mask is connected to a machine that provides constant air pressure. This air pressure keeps your airways open and prevents them from collapsing.

Oral Appliance Therapy

Several types of oral appliances are available to treat sleep apnea. The best one will depend on several factors, including:

• The size of the jaw
• The severity of the sleep apnea
• The preference of the patient

The oral appliance works by pushing the lower jaw and tongue forward slightly, which opens up the airway and prevents the tongue from collapsing into the throat.

Surgery

Surgery may be recommended if sleep apnea is severe enough and other methods have failed. Surgery usually involves the removal of tissue from the mouth, parts of the soft palate, or the tongue. This procedure is called uvulopalatopharyngoplasty, or UPPP. In some cases, sleep apnea is caused by an obstruction of the nasal cavity, so surgery can correct this as well. Other surgical options include procedures that reposition the jaw or the tongue.

To find out more about the dental services we offer at Distinctive Dental on Maitland, call (407) 830-9800 or schedule your consultation online. You can also visit us at 609 Maitland Ave STE 1, Altamonte Springs, FL 32701.