Sleep Apnea

Sleep Apnea Sleep Disorder

Sleep apnea is a serious, potentially life-threatening sleep disorder that causes you to stop breathing for a period of time while sleeping (ranging from seconds to even minutes).

As the body struggles to breathe, it will partially wake up to restart breathing. However, people often don’t wake up to a fully conscious state, so they may remain unaware of the disorder. If you any number of the following symptoms, consider looking into it.

Common signs of sleep apnea include:

  • Early morning headaches
  • Excessive sleepiness in the daytime
  • Insomnia
  • Nightmares
  • Snoring

What is the treatment?

The dentist may be able to offer different options depending on the scenario. They may recommend making some lifestyle changes, such as quitting smoking.

If you are not a fan of the idea of wearing a mask to bed, there are now dental devices that prevent the tongue from blocking your airway. These devices are easy to wear and help avoid problems in the future.

Another option is jaw surgery that will pull your tongue slightly forward. This is a simple surgery to perform and is a permanent solution.

Talk with Dr. Regan DDS about getting diagnosed if you believe you may suffer from sleep apnea.