Obstructive sleep apnea is a condition that affects billions of people all over the world. Also known as OSA, it causes the person to stop breathing up to 30 times every hour. Bela Family Dentistry explains that although no one knows the exact cause of the disorder, there are people who are in the higher risk category for OSA.
High Risk Category for OSA
- People who are obese
- People with a large neck, men over 18” and women over 16”
- Men
- People over 55
- Menopausal women
- Smokers
- People who consume alcohol on a regular basis
- Certain over the counter and prescription medications
- Family history
- People with narrow airways
- People with tonsils and adenoids
- Chronic nasal congestion
Certain medical conditions, such as high blood pressure, congestive heart failure, Parkinson’s disease, hormonal disorders, chronic lung disease, and type 2 diabetes also increase the chance of OSA.
Signs and Symptoms of OSA
- Snoring although not everyone who snores has obstructive sleep apnea
- Gasping for breath while sleeping
- Dry mouth after waking up
- Breathing cessation witnessed by another person
- Morning headaches
- Insomnia
- Excessive sleepiness
- Problems paying attention
- Irritability
- Depression
- Mood swings
- Loss of libido
Obstructive Sleep Apnea Solutions
CPAP Therapy is the most common treatment for people suffering from OSA. With that being said, sleeping with a mask over your face connected through a hose that is connected to a machine isn’t the most comfortable way to sleep.
Because a CPAP machine is cumbersome, difficult to clean and in some cases uncomfortable, people with OSA often abandon the therapy dealing with obstructive sleep apnea instead.
For some, surgery is an option for obstructive sleep apnea. However, those who have had the surgery often have the same issues a year or so after the procedure.
People with mild to moderate obstructive sleep apnea often see results if they lose weight or change medications. Children with sleep apnea often grow out of the issue when tonsils and adenoids are removed.
Oral Appliance Therapy for Obstructive Sleep Apnea
One of the most successful treatments for OSA is oral appliance therapy. Bela Family Dentistry is a licensed and preferred provider of oral appliance therapy in Georgia and has the training to provide you with a custom-made appliance that will help you sleep better.
If you have been diagnosed with OSA talk to your dentist in South Carolina about the six-step sleep protocol. This interactive process helps Bela Family Dentistry understand your OSA matching an oral appliance to help you breathe easier.
Part of your OSA treatment also includes nasal breathing therapy and other solutions to help you breathe better. Your oral appliance therapist in Georgia will also let you try out different night guards for oral appliance therapy.
Get a Good Night’s Sleep with Oral Appliance Therapy
You don’t have to suffer if you have been diagnosed with mild to moderate obstructive sleep apnea. Call and schedule a no obligation consultation with the team from Bela Family Dentistry today.
