Beverly Hills patients with obstructive sleep apnea have an increased risk for high blood pressure and heart disease. Research has shown that treating the disorder can lower this risk.
Obstructive sleep apnea is a disorder that causes people to stop breathing during sleep. Breathing stops because the soft tissues of the mouth and throat relax during sleep and fall back, blocking the airway. The oxygen levels in the body drop and the brain briefly wakens the sleeper to start breathing again. This happens many times each hour and the sleeper does not remember any of it. The obstructive sleep apnea sufferer only knows that they wake up feeling terrible, they are exhausted and feel sleepy and tired all of the time.
The bed partner of the sleep apnea patient is aware that there is something going on throughout the night. Because of the loud snoring and gasping for air the bed partner experiences fragmented sleep as well – this also impacts their health and well-being.
Sleep apnea can be treated by a dentist who has special training in the field of dental sleep medicine. Why a dentist? One of the best ways to treat obstructive sleep apnea is through the use of a custom oral appliance only available through a sleep medicine dentist. This small device looks similar to an orthodontic retainer and is used to gently move the lower jaw into a forward position – this keeps the tongue and other tissues from falling into the airway and stops the snoring and stoppages of breath. You can breath easily all night long.
For more information about snoring, obstructive sleep apnea and how your Beverly Hills sleep apnea dentist can help please contact Dr. David Frey at 310-276-4537 today to schedule a consultation. You’ll both sleep better.
