What is Sleep Apnea?
Sleep apnea commonly affects adults, especially men, and can make having a restful night a difficult thing to achieve.
It is a serious disorder in which breathing suddenly stops or becomes shallow during sleep.
Factors such as enlarged tonsils or throat problems can make you more susceptible to chronic sleep apnea, but overall the apnea happens when the muscles at the back of your throat fail to keep your airway clear and open.
Why Should You Be Concerned?
Often this issue goes undiagnosed because the symptoms occur during sleep and the sufferer isn’t even aware of what’s going on. Things like snoring, sudden stops in the breath, and gasping for air are commonly reported by sleep partners that witness these symptoms during the night.
When left untreated, obstructive sleep apnea can lead to more serious health concerns like cardiovascular disease, low blood oxygen, diabetes, and even increase the risk of sudden death.
It is crucial to see a specialist as soon as you can if you suspect you have this condition.
Treatment Options
It’s important to find a treatment that works to solve the symptoms and cause of sleep apnea, thus granting sufferers good nights of rest and improved health.
A Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) machine is often recommended for treatment, but it’s not the solution for everyone. These machines are loud, heavy, and cumbersome. It can bother partners, or even the patient themselves due to the noise it continuously puts out. It’s difficult to take such machines on travels and can be a hassle to tote it around.
Luckily, there’s a simpler option that is light, portable, and silent.
Discover a New & Innovative Solution
Our office offers a Mandibular Advancement Device, also known as a MAD, called the ProSomnus [IA] Sleep and Snore Device. It looks very similar to a mouthguard; however, it pushes the tongue and jaw slightly forward so as to keep the throat muscles from collapsing into the airway and disturbing breathing.
It fits into the mouth by securing a lower portion and upper portion onto the teeth and connecting together through hinges. It features a metal-free hinge design and airway opening between the teeth to keep a comfortable oral breathing environment throughout the night.
The device is comfortable, without the noise or dry mouth associated with CPAP machines. It’s also small enough to fit in your pocket, easy to travel with, and inconspicuous. It will help with shortness of breath, blocked airways, and loud snoring. Most importantly, it will lower your chances of other severe health issues related to the disorder.
At our Houston, Texas orthodontic office, we can help with seeing if a MAD is for you.
Getting Your Sleep Apnea Under Control – Call Today : (713) 714-4474
Schedule an appointment to see if you’re a good fit.
