You may love to tease your Uncle Albert about his snoring, but he’s probably not the only one in your family with a nighttime breathing issue. Many people suffer from snoring or sleep apnea and have no idea until their bed partner or close relative musters the courage (or exhausted frustration) to finally let them know.
While snoring is annoying, it is the sleep apnea episodes that can be truly alarming. You might even be aware that there is a problem if you:
- Wake up with a sore/dry throat
- Feel tired despite a full night’s sleep
- Often fall asleep while watching a movie or reading
- Have been told that you gasp while you’re sleeping
So What If I Snore A Little Bit?
Snoring on its own is no problem, but snoring is sometimes associated with apneic episodes. This means that you actually stop breathing. Your brain will pull you just awake enough to start breathing again before you drift back down into deep sleep. This may happen a dozen times an hour or hundreds, depending on the severity of your sleep apnea.
So not only are you not sleeping soundly, but you’re also putting your body at risk for very serious conditions such as:
- High blood pressure
- Diabetes
- Headaches
- Depression/Anxiety
- Heart conditions
Find out what you’re dealing with when you call 859-554-1772 today. We can help you set up a sleep study, and then we’ll help you figure out your best treatment option.
Treating Sleep Apnea Comfortably
The best news for folks living with sleep apnea is that treatment is a lot more comfortable than it used to be! CPAP used to be the only option for patients, and a lot of folks simply couldn’t tolerate it. CPAP is still the best option in some cases, but we are proud to offer a more comfortable alternative whenever possible: oral appliances.
An oral appliance is worn much like a mouthguard that athletes wear. It slips over your teeth and ever so slightly adjusts your lower jaw so that your airway stays open while you sleep. Your snoring will end, and you will be able to rest deeply without jerking awake over and over.
An appliance is especially attractive for folks who are traveling during the holiday season. If you currently have a CPAP, imagine being able to leave it at home while you travel. An oral appliance will fit into a carrying case that you could slide into a pocket if you wanted to. It’s much easier (and less noticeable) than a bulky CPAP machine. Plus, you’ll never have to worry about finding an outlet!
It’s time that you address your snoring. Find out if you have a more serious problem on your hands, and if you do, call us at 859-554-1772 or visit our TMJ and Sleep Dentistry Center of Central Kentucky. Let us help you get back to sleep!