Sleep apnea is a sleep disorder that causes you to partially awaken multiple times a night. It is a common condition that can lead to serious health problems, and many people are completely unaware they have sleep apnea.
There are two primary types of sleep apnea, with different causes and treatments.
This form of sleep apnea develops when there is a communication disruption between body and brain. Essentially, your brain cannot properly signal your muscles to breathe during sleep, causing disruptions in your rest. Treating this form of sleep apnea is a complex process.
By far the most common type of sleep apnea, this condition occurs when the muscles at the back of your throat relax during sleep, blocking your airway and causing you to partially wake to restore breathing.
Some people experience complex sleep apnea syndrome, which is a combination of central and obstructive sleep apnea.
Knowing the signs and symptoms of sleep apnea can help you know when to seek treatment. Some of the signs you might have sleep apnea include:
In many cases, your sleep partner is aware there is a problem even before you begin to notice symptoms. People with sleep apnea often stop breathing multiple times a night, then loudly gasp for air before beginning to breathe normally again. This can happen dozens or even hundreds of times a night, often disrupting the sleep of their partner.
Few things can have a more detrimental effect on your health than sleep deprivation. Sleep apnea can be a serious condition that can cause widespread health problems. Finding relief is important and should be a top priority.
Fortunately, there are treatments that can help. Dr. Bubernak offers custom-fitted night guards, an option that does not require drug therapy or invasive surgical interventions.
You’ll receive a customized dental device to wear during sleep. A night guard looks a lot like the mouth guards used by athletes to protect their teeth or the retainers worn after orthodontic treatment.
You simply wear your night guard throughout the night. The device creates a slight change in the way you hold your jaw during sleep, opening your airways and helping you breathe easier during sleep. It can take a while to get used to wearing your night guard, but before long, it will be just another part of your bedtime routine.
To learn more, call the office to schedule a consultation, or book online in just a few clicks.