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Easy Ways to Manage Sleep Apnea

Snoring & Sleep Apnea Solutions 2 Midlothian, VA | Biggers Family Dentistry

Do you sometimes snore at night or wake up gasping for air? These are two major signs of sleep apnea, a serious condition that, if untreated, can increase the risk of problems like heart disease, stroke, and a host of other health problems.

Biggers Family Dentistry can correct your sleep apnea and help you rest comfortably again. You can start your treatment by giving us a call today at 804-977-0092 to schedule your in-depth consultation. Today, we want to show you how you can manage, and even resolve, your sleep apnea issues.

The dangers of sleep apnea

People confuse sleep apnea with snoring, but it’s more serious than that. It occurs whenever you experience pauses in breathing. During those pauses in breathing, the blood pressure will rise. People with severe sleep apnea experience as many as 30 pauses in breathing every hour. Imagine the stress that puts on your body. Patients with sleep apnea often:

  • Wake with headaches
  • Wake up still exhausted
  • Experience sleepy driving
  • Increase the risk of heart attack or stroke
  • Gain weight
  • Put stress on their relationships

How to manage sleep apnea

There are two types of sleep apnea, obstructive sleep apnea and central sleep apnea. Obstructive sleep apnea is the most common type of sleep apnea and occurs whenever soft tissue blocks the airway. Millions of people across America will struggle with sleep apnea, but luckily you can manage obstructive sleep apnea. Some patients have luck managing their sleep apnea by reducing their weight (a big factor of sleep apnea is neck size). You can also try to better manage it with your sleep position. It may sound like a small change, but many people with sleep apnea sleep on their backs. You can find special sleep devices that help you not sleep on your back.

If these home solutions don’t help manage your sleep apnea, you can find an easy solution at Biggers Family Dentistry. We’re using a simple oral appliance that pushes the lower jaw forward to keep the airway open while you sleep.

Why patients can’t tolerate CPAP

When you think of sleep apnea treatment, you probably think of somebody wearing a CPAP appliance. The CPAP uses a mask, hose, and motor to push air into the lungs while you sleep. The CPAP is the gold standard when it comes to treating sleep apnea, but some patients find it intolerable. It can be uncomfortable for the person using the device or the person who sleeps in the same bed as the CPAP user. The CPAP can be loud, and people can find the mask a bit uncomfortable. In fact, some studies have found that there is only a 50 percent compliance rate when it comes to using the CPAP. We don’t like those compliance rate numbers, because the appliance can’t work if you’re not wearing it.

In many cases, we can provide you with an alternative to the CPAP. The oral appliance is ideal for patients with mild to moderate obstructive sleep apnea. We can create the oral appliance with a simple impression and have the device ready for use in no time! The device fits over your bottom teeth and keeps the airways open. Patients who wear the appliance experience better sleep and see a reduction in their sleep apnea or snoring issues.

The appliance is small, affordable, and will never disrupt your sleep partner. And you can travel with it anywhere! If you’re a traveler, the sleep appliance can be a superior alternative to the CPAP. Instead of carrying a special suitcase for your CPAP, you can place your device is a mouthguard container.

Treating your sleep apnea will improve your overall health and your personal life. People who treat their sleep apnea or snoring issues have said they improved their marriage. Plus, they feel much better whenever they wake up in the morning.

Schedule your appointment today

If you’re struggling with any of the classic signs of sleep apnea, you need to assess your problem with a sleep study. Biggers Family Dentistry can treat your problems without the hassle of you having to visit doctors all around town. Give us a call today at 804-977-0092 to book a visit, or fill out our online form to request an appointment.