Sleep apnea is a common disorder in which there are pauses in breathing while sleeping.
Sleep apnea occurs when tissue in the back of the throat collapses and blocks the airway, reducing the amount of oxygen delivered to all of your organs including your heart and brain. People with sleep apnea may snore loudly and stop breathing for short periods of time.
When the blood-oxygen level drops low enough, the body momentarily wakes up. It can happen so fast that you may not be aware you woke up. This can happen hundreds of times a night, and you may wake up in the morning feeling tired.
Obstructive sleep apnea is very common and potentially life-threatening medical disorder that prevents airflow during sleep. More than 18 million Americans have sleep apnea, and many are not receiving treatment.
In addition to snoring and excessive daytime sleepiness, sleep apnea can cause memory loss, morning headaches, irritability, depression, decreased sex drive and impaired concentration. Sleep apnea patients have a much higher risk of stroke and heart problems, such as heart attack, congestive heart failure and hypertension. Sleep apnea patients are also more likely to be involved in an accident while driving.
The oxygen deprivation due to sleep apnea can cause continuous exacerbation of:
At Pacific Dental Care we are introducing the oral appliance therapy (OAT). Oral appliances are a front-line treatment for snoring and mild to moderate obstructive sleep apnea. This small plastic device fits in the mouth during sleep like a sports mouth guard or orthodontic retainer. Oral appliances help prevent the collapse of the tongue and soft tissues in the back of the throat, keeping the airway open during sleep and promoting adequate air intake.
Dr. Martirosyan is trained to select which oral appliance is right for you and will adjust it for the best results. She will continue to monitor your treatment and may ask you to go for a follow-up sleep study to ensure that the therapy is working.
Dr. Martirosyan is trained in oral appliance therapy and will evaluate which type of oral appliance will better suit for your needs. She is a member of the American Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine (AADSM).
If you need an effective alternative for living with sleep apnea, talk to us today about how OAT can help you get a good night’s rest.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has a responsibility to protect consumers against products that could prove to be harmful. This includes regulating medical devices such as sleep apnea appliances. The FDA has granted premarket notification to more than 65 different sleep apnea devices since 2010. These appliances have been found to be safe, effective, and perform as promised. They cannot be purchased over-the-counter, and you will need a prescription to get one.
There are numerous models available, and all of them have been FDA-approved for treating obstructive sleep apnea. They should only be used for treating mild to moderate sleep apnea, and they should not be used by patients under the age of 18. You may find that you can purchase oral appliances online, but with this, you run the risk of an improper fit. Getting a sleep apnea appliance directly from your doctor will ensure that it is comfortable to wear.
Sleep apnea appliances are a viable alternative to CPAP therapy. We can evaluate your condition and give you information about your treatment options. We will work with you to give you a customize appliance that provides the greatest comfort and effectiveness possible. Give our sleep apnea expert a call today to learn more about your options.
Dr. Martirosyan wants you to really think about how good of a sleep you get and consider making a sleep journal, so that when you visit her dental office in Glendale, CA she will be able to assist you easier.
Obstructive sleep apnea frequently goes undiagnosed because people often mistaken the serious sleep disorder for snoring. About half of loud snorers have some form of sleep apnea.
Snoring and obstructive sleep apnea have similar causes. Sleep apnea happens when the tissue in the upper-airway blocks the entire airway, causing a pause in your breathing. The blockage keeps oxygen from reaching your organs including your heart and brain. When the blood-oxygen level drops low enough, the body momentarily wakes up. It can happen so fast that you may not be aware you woke up.
Snorers who suffer from sleep may make gasping, choking or snorting sounds as they try to breathe and feel drained of energy during the day.
Dr. Martirosyan is a Sleep Dentist in Glendale, Burbank, Pasadena and Los Angeles. She will help you stop the problem before it leads to other serious health issues.
Drowsy driving can be as dangerous as drunk driving. Drivers are 15 times more likely to be involved in a deadly motor vehicle accident when they have excessive daytime sleepiness, a common symptom of sleep apnea.
The American Academy of Sleep Medicine estimates that 18 million Americans have sleep apnea. 80 to 90 percent of cases remain undiagnosed and untreated. The Institute of Medicine reports 50 to 70 million Americans suffer from chronic sleep disorders, including sleep apnea.
Help protect yourself, your loved ones and your fellow travelers.
Contact us for a complimentary consultation and use the $50 coupon towards the Oral Appliance.