Sleep Apnea Evaluations in McKinney, TX
Sleep apnea is breathing that is briefly interrupted during sleep multiple times a night. As a consequence, you spend more time in light sleep and less time in deep sleep, which you need to be productive and energetic. Sleep apnea can lead to serious health issues if left untreated, such as; high blood pressure, diabetes, heart disease and weight gain. As part of our dental care services, Red Oak Family Dentistry offers sleep apnea evaluations to help assess what form of sleep apnea you may be suffering from.
Types of Sleep Apnea
There are three main types of sleep apnea—obstructive, central, and complex. Obstructive sleep apnea involves the muscles in the back of your throat relaxing and preventing proper airflow while you sleep. Central sleep apnea occurs when your brain doesn’t properly signal for your body to breathe during sleep. Lastly, complex sleep apnea is a combination of both obstructive and central sleep apnea.
Signs of Sleep Apnea
Sleep apnea can appear differently in each patient. However, a few common signs of sleep apnea that you may be able to recognize yourself include chronic headaches, difficulty focusing throughout the day, feeling tired after getting a full night’s sleep, and waking up with a dry mouth. Other signs of sleep apnea include loud snoring and interrupted breathing for long periods of time while sleeping, but these signs must often be recognized by another person or a sleep study.
The American Academy of Sleep Medicine has approved oral appliance therapy as an initial treatment option for patients diagnosed with mild to moderate sleep apnea. If you have been diagnosed with sleep apnea by your medical doctor, contact our office today to see how our dental professionals can help get you on the road to a good night’s sleep.
It is important to get fitted by a dentist who specializes in sleep apnea evaluations and our dental professionals are here to guide you every step of the way. Contact Red Oak Family Dentistry today to schedule an appointment.
