What You May Not Know About the Effects of Sleep Apnea

January 24, 2014

Filed under: General Dentistry,Uncategorized — Tags: , , , , , , , , — okde @ 10:08 pm

494282527It’s common knowledge that snoring can be incredibly annoying, but did you know that this noisy nuisance can also be indicative of a common sleep disorder? Sleep apnea, a condition that causes intermittent lapses in breathing during sleep, can lead to a variety of seemingly unrelated health problems if left untreated. At Dental Expressions in Oklahoma City, OK, Dr. Frazier and Dr. Holman can help you understand everything you need to know about sleep apnea and its treatment.

Complications of Untreated Sleep Apnea

Aside from chronic daytime fatigue associated with a lack of deep, restful sleep, sleep apnea can potentially lead to a multitude of health issues of great concern. Because the affected patient actually ceases breathing for up to 10 seconds at a time, blood oxygen levels can quickly drop to dangerous levels. This can lead to high blood pressure, or hypertension, in the lungs and throughout the rest of the body as well. Approximately 50 percent of people with sleep apnea suffer from hypertension.

Other complications associated with sleep apnea include:

  • Disease of the blood vessels and coronary arteries
  • Increased risk of heart attack and stroke
  • Respiratory distress and failure
  • Sexual dysfunction
  • Irregular heart beat

Fortunately, there are ways to combat the effects of sleep apnea, thereby greatly reducing your risk of developing these and other complications. Talking with your dentists at Dental Expressions can help you determine whether or not you would benefit more from a snoreguard (an oral appliance that opens up your airways at night) or another therapy (like a CPAP machine).

Getting the Help You Need

If you or your partner snores loudly or experiences trouble breathing at night, it’s possible that sleep apnea is the cause. Contact our office in Oklahoma City, OK today and find out how Dr. Frazier and Dr. Holman can help you discover the sleep apnea treatment that best suits your individual condition and lifestyle. We also serve patients from throughout Midwest City, Moore, Norman and beyond. We look forward to helping you get a better, healthier night’s sleep!

Could You Be Suffering From Sleep Apnea?

February 18, 2013

Filed under: General Dentistry — Tags: , , , , , , , , — okde @ 6:27 pm

488099845We can all agree that snoring is an annoying habit to have – especially where tired spouses are concerned. The habit can keep your family awake at night, disrupt your own sleep, and leave you with a sore throat in the morning. But did you know that snoring can actually be an indicator of a much more serious condition? If you’re a chronic snorer, you might be suffering from sleep apnea, a potentially dangerous disorder that causes a person to stop breathing constantly through the night, usually for instances of ten seconds or longer. People who suffer from untreated sleep apnea not only suffer from chronic exhaustion and lessened enjoyment of life, but could also suffer possible complications later in life. Here at Dental Expressions in Oklahoma City, our team is happy to provide you with a variety of effective solutions to treat your sleep apnea. With the help of Dr. Holman and Dr. Frazier, you and your family will be back to peaceful slumber in no time.

But first, how do you know for sure if you have sleep apnea? Here are some common symptoms:

  • Chronic exhaustion/ drowsiness during the day, no matter how sleep you got the night before
  • Waking up with a dry mouth or throat after sleep
  • Constant choking, gasping, or snorting during sleep
  • Loud snoring
  • Constantly waking up during the night
  • Morning headaches

Some of those sound familiar! What are my options for treatment?

After Dr. Holman or Dr. Frazier have concurred that you are in fact suffering from sleep apnea, there are a few solutions you both can pursue, depending on the severity of the disorder. First, they can offer you the use of an oral appliance (commonly referred to as a snoreguard). Wearing a snoreguard alleviates snoring and keeps your airway open. If your symptoms don’t respond to that treatment, Dr. Holman or Dr. Frazier may recommend that you see a doctor who specializes in sleep disorders, or that you look into the use of a CPAP machine, which consists of a box, facemask, and tube that carries air to your body while you sleep.

Our team is committed to providing you with comfortable and personalized service, here at Dental Expressions. Let us give you a reason to smile! Call our office today to schedule a consultation for your sleep apnea treatment.  We proudly serve patients from the OKC area, Moore, Norman, Midwest City, and surrounding communities.