The Texas Patient’s Guide to Sleep Apnea

What is sleep apnea?

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a serious medical issue that occurs when the soft tissues in your mouth, such as your throat muscles and tongue, fall back into the airway. This creates a blockage that stops you from breathing from just a few times an hour to possibly over 100 times per hour.  When your airway is blocked, your body signals the brain to wake up suddenly, causing you to gasp for air. The reason sleep apnea is so dangerous is that it happens while you sleep, and many times you are not even aware it is even happening.

 

Since all your body processes center around your breathing, sleep apnea effects your blood pressure, heart health, diabetes, depression, and a host of other medical problems.

Signs & Symptoms of Sleep Apnea

The most common signs of sleep apnea are snoring, multiple nighttime bathroom visits when there are no prostate or urinary issues, excessive daytime sleepiness, and repeated gasping for air throughout the night. Other significant signs are:
If you’ve experienced any of these symptoms, you should contact your doctor and discuss the possibility of having sleep apnea.

How Sleep Apnea Affects Your Health

If left untreated, sleep apnea can lead to a number of significant health problems. Consequences of untreated sleep apnea may include:

It’s important to seek professional treatment as soon as you receive a proper diagnosis of sleep apnea. This will help prevent further health complications and improve your quality of life. Give us a call at (833) 275-3372 to schedule your consultation or find a TDSS provider near you with one of our providers so they can help you live a longer,

healthier life. We offer comfortable treatment for sleep apnea, including CPAP alternatives.

Comfortable CPAP Alternatives

Texas Dental Sleep Services specializes in Oral Appliance Therapy using removable oral appliances to treat your sleep apnea vs. conventional CPAP.  Medical research has shown oral appliances offer a more comfortable and comparable treatment result for significant numbers of patients who prefer not to wear CPAP.

 

TDSS doctors are also able to treat extremely severe sleep apnea patients with a new therapy called Combination Therapy with an Interface.  This treatment approach combines your existing CPAP with an oral appliance with virtually nothing touching your face, no straps, chin or headgear, full freedom of movement while sleeping, and air blowing pressures into you reduced up to 50%.

Frequently Asked
Questions

Sleep apnea occurs when the muscles in your throat relax too much during sleep, blocking your airway. This can be due to factors like weight, neck structure, or genetics. Without treatment, it can lead to serious health issues like heart disease or stroke. Treating it can significantly improve your quality of life and prevent long-term health problems.

Not everyone who snores has sleep apnea, but snoring is a common symptom. If your snoring is accompanied by choking or gasping for air during sleep, it’s important to get evaluated. Sleep apnea often goes undiagnosed, and addressing it early can prevent serious health complications.

Common signs include loud snoring, waking up gasping for air, excessive daytime fatigue, morning headaches, and trouble concentrating. If you or a loved one experience any of these symptoms, it’s important to get checked for sleep apnea. Early treatment can prevent long-term health issues.

Yes, a sleep study provides the most accurate diagnosis by measuring your breathing patterns and other factors while you sleep. It’s a simple, non-invasive way to determine if you have sleep apnea and how severe it is, allowing us to recommend the best treatment for you.

Untreated sleep apnea increases the risk of high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, and diabetes. It also causes daytime fatigue, difficulty concentrating, and mood swings. By treating sleep apnea, you can significantly lower these risks and improve your overall health and well-being.

Oral appliance therapy is a great alternative for those who find CPAP uncomfortable. It’s a custom-fitted device that repositions your jaw to keep your airway open during sleep. Many patients find it more comfortable, discreet, and easier to use than a CPAP machine.

Oral appliance therapy is highly effective for patients with mild to moderate obstructive sleep apnea. Many patients experience a significant reduction in symptoms and an improvement in sleep quality. It’s also easier to travel with, making it a more convenient option for many.

As long as you have sleep apnea, treatment will be necessary to manage it. However, many patients find that the oral appliance is easy to use and becomes a natural part of their routine, especially once they experience the benefits of better sleep and overall health improvements.

Yes, sleep apnea has been linked to several serious health issues, including heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, and stroke. Treating sleep apnea can reduce these risks and improve your energy levels, mental clarity, and mood, allowing you to lead a healthier life.

Untreated sleep apnea can lead to worsening health conditions like high blood pressure, heart disease, and an increased risk of accidents due to daytime drowsiness. The good news is that with proper treatment, such as oral appliance therapy, you can prevent these complications and enjoy restful sleep again.

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