Experiencing Sleep Apnea? Here are 5 Treatment Options to Consider

It’s official: you have sleep apnea. Your doctor has given you the diagnosis, and now you can finally explain to your partner why you sound like a buzz saw when you snore. Yet, what do you do now? You know you have sleep apnea, but what can you do about it? We’re offering these 5 treatment options to help improve your health and get better sleep!

The Secret Being the Snore: Sleep Apnea

Sleep apnea is a common disorder that affects more than 18 million people in the United States. Each year, that number is growing, which is why it’s important to seek help if you suspect you might have sleep apnea.

If you experience brief lapses in breathing while you are asleep, consider yourself one of the 18 million suffering from sleep apnea. Your breathing starts and stops throughout the night because of air being blocked. When the soft tissues of your mouth and throat collapse and become relaxed, it not only causes snoring but also a blockage that prevents adequate amounts of air from reaching your lungs.

Get the Rest You Need: Treatment Options

Once you’ve been diagnosed with sleep apnea, it’s important to learn about the various treatment options that are available. You want to start sleeping better, right? It’s not pleasant waking up gasping for air, is it? If you’re ready to do something about your condition, try one of the following:

Wearing an Oral Appliance

Oral appliance therapy is a great solution. Using a custom-made mouthguard, it will gently move your jaw, so your airway remains open. Your doctor will be able to provide you with this special mouthguard and ensure a proper fit. It’s less invasive than a CPAP and is a more comfortable alternative.

Surgery

If your doctor feels it’s necessary for you to undergo surgery, you may have one of the following areas operated on:

• Soft palate and uvula
• Tongue
• Upper or lower jaw
• Tonsils and adenoids

While it may not be the right option for everyone, it can be beneficial; however, you may experience bleeding and swelling of the throat, or even need your jaw wired shut for a few days. Typically, sleep apnea can reoccur at any time, so surgery doesn’t mean your condition is permanently fixed.

Weight Management Program

If you are overweight or obese, losing weight will not only help you sleep better, but it will prove beneficial to your overall health. Your risk for diabetes, heart disease, and stroke lessen, and if you have a thick neck, you probably have extra tissue in your throat, blocking your airway. By losing weight, you’ll be able to breathe better at night. It’s important to note that if you have a narrow nasal passage or airway, weight management may not make as much of a difference.

Positional Therapy

Do you sleep mostly on your back? If so, that’s when you might notice more of your sleep apnea symptoms occurring. Using a special device around your waist or back can keep you in a side sleeping position, allowing your breathing to return to normal.

Changing Everyday Habits

If you smoke or drink alcohol, it could make your sleep apnea worse, which is why it’s important to eliminate these bad habits from your everyday life. Alcohol relaxes the muscles in your throat, making it hard to breathe at night.

Life with sleep apnea doesn’t have to be all doom and gloom. By talking to your doctor in The Woodlands about treatment options, you can work to fix the problem and improve your overall health. Oh, and don’t forget, you’ll finally be able to get the rest you need!

About the Practice
Dr. Robert G. Dernick earned his DDS degree from the University of Texas Dental Branch at Houston in 1979. Considered a dental pioneer in The Woodlands, he opened his first practice in 1980, and he is known as one of the most caring, experienced, and skilled dentists in the area. Discovering more about the field of sleep dentistry, he’s able to provide safe, effective, and non-invasive sleep apnea therapy using custom-made oral appliances. To learn more, contact us via our website or by calling (281) 367-3900.