The toll of sleep apnea on your emotional and physical well-being can become serious over time. The longer it takes you to do something about this condition, the more time you spend unable to enjoy a full night’s rest. So why would someone delay care? In some cases, people who have this condition can worry that they will have a difficult time using a CPAP machine. While effective, this appliance can feel difficult to adjust to, which can make people uneasy about its use on a nightly basis. Our Livonia/Detroit, MI dentist’s office can actually offer an alternative to this approach. For patients affected by obstructive sleep apnea, we can discuss oral appliance therapy, which can be easier for you to adjust to.
Sleep Apnea Can Be More Severe Than You Realize
The more time you spend ignoring sleep apnea’s impact on your life, the more likely it is to create problems for you. Some of those problems are physical in nature. For example, your sleep troubles can actually lead to elevated blood pressure, something that will make you more vulnerable to heart disease and other threats. You can also have a more difficult time managing mental or physical health conditions.
Using Oral Appliance Therapy To Take On Your Sleep Issues
Many people who struggle with sleep apnea have what is known as obstructive sleep apnea. This means they are waking up because they are suffering interruptions in breathing due to the blockage of their airways. It is possible to correct this issue without the need for you to use a CPAP machine. Instead, you will receive a custom appliance for sleep apnea that you wear during the night. This guard keeps your jaw in a position that stops your airways from being obstructed, which means you can keep breathing soundly and avoid difficulties with rest and frequent waking.
Unsure If You Need Help With Sleep Apnea? Look Out For These Symptoms
There are different ways to determine if sleep apnea is a possible problem for you. Snoring is a symptom you may be familiar with, but you may not be in a position to have someone tell you if this is a problem that affects you. Other warning signs include persistent fatigue, even after nights of what you believed to be an adequate amount of sleep, problems with irritability and a lack of focus, and even a tendency to doze off at inappropriate or even dangerous times. People with a family history of this condition, those who are heavier, and those who have issues with a deviated septum can be more likely to experience this problem.
Talk To Your Livonia/Detroit, MI Dentist About Appliance Therapy For Your Sleep Apnea!
For more information on treating sleep apnea without a CPAP machine, please contact your Livonia, MI, dentist, Dr. Stewart, by calling (734) 425-4400.
