Sleep Apnea Treatment in Summerland, BC
Sleep apnea is a potentially serious condition characterized by breathing interruptions when one is asleep. Sleep apnea affects millions of Canadians and is more prevalent in men than in women. A common indicator of sleep apnea is excessive snoring.
If you have a sneaking feeling that you might have sleep apnea, the best course of action is to seek sleep apnea treatment in Summerland, BC. Summerland Dental Centre is a multi-specialty, family-friendly dental practice that provides sleep apnea treatment near you.
Don’t let sleep apnea rob you or your partner of a good night’s sleep. Get in touch with our dentists near you today to schedule an appointment.
Types, Causes and Symptoms of Sleep Apnea
There are two primary types of sleep apnea—central and obstructive sleep apnea. Central sleep apnea occurs when the brain fails to communicate the right signals to the respiratory system.
Obstructive sleep apnea, abbreviated OSA, occurs when the upper airway becomes blocked as you sleep, usually when the throat muscles collapse. When these muscles relax, the airway constricts, making it difficult for air to flow through. This leads to snoring, which is the vibration the air makes as it struggles to flow through narrowed airways.
Symptoms of sleep apnea include:
- Chronic, loud snoring
- Morning headaches
- Episodes of interrupted breathing as you sleep, best reported by another person
- Gasping for air as you sleep
- Insomnia and sleep deprivation
- Awakening with a dry mouth
- Daytime restlessness and irritability
Central and obstructive sleep apnea symptoms often overlap. However, the treatments vary.
If you’re showing sleep apnea symptoms, our dentists in Summerland, BC, take time to determine the type of sleep apnea and offer appropriate intervention. Left untreated, sleep apnea can wreak havoc in your life and predispose you to other health conditions such as high blood pressure.
Sleep Apnea Treatment Process
We start by assessing your symptoms. If there’s sufficient cause for concern, the next step is to conduct a sleep study. A sleep study monitors your breathing patterns, blood oxygen levels, heart, lung and brain activity, as well as leg and arm movements while you sleep. Summerland Dental Centre offers sleep studies for patients who qualify for the same. We use the results of the sleep study to determine the next course of treatment.
Obstructive sleep apnea treatment includes oral devices such as tongue-retaining devices (TRDs) and mandibular advancement devices (MADs). These oral appliances position the tongue and jaw correctly to prevent airway collapse.
Lifestyle changes and surgery can also alleviate sleep apnea and help you sleep better again. However, surgery is often recommended as a last resort and only if it’s in the patient’s best interests.
Are you struggling to sleep through the night? Have you been experiencing symptoms commonly associated with sleep apnea? Get in touch with Summerland Dental Centre to arrange a thorough sleep apnea evaluation.
