Do you spend most days feeling blah? Just sort of tired, worn out and sleepy? You eat right, take your vitamins, try to exercise but still seem to lack the energy you used to have – you aren’t alone and dental sleep medicine may be able to help!
About 18 million Americans, including those living in Beverly Hills, have obstructive sleep apnea but about 90% of them don’t know it. One of the signs of obstructive sleep apnea is fatigue and daytime sleepiness. Other signs are weight gain, loud snoring and often gasping or choking noises during sleep.
Sleep apnea causes the airway to become blocked during sleep which deprives the body of oxygen. The oxygen starved brain will waken the sleeper briefly, usually with a gasp, to start breathing again. Although patients with sleep apnea waken many times during the night they do not remember the episodes.
The sleeper feels exhausted the next day because their sleep has been interrupted so many times. The drop is oxygen levels caused by sleep apnea cause changes in blood vessels and in the heart leading to heart disease and stroke.
Treatment of this disorder usually begins with a CPAP machine. CPAP is a wonderful therapy for those who can tolerate sleeping with the machine and accompanying masks and tubes but for many this is impossible.
Patients who are CPAP intolerant or who are simply looking for an easier treatment for their disorder should seek a dentist who has received training in the field of dental sleep medicine. A specially trained dentist can create an oral appliance that works with your body mechanics to keep your airway open all night long allowing uninterrupted sleep. No more snoring and gasping for air.
Find out more about oral appliance therapy from Beverly Hills sleep apnea dentist Dr. David Frey at 310-276-4537 today. We’ll be happy to schedule your consultation in our Beverly Hills dental sleep medicine office.
