About Sleep Apnea in Wichita, KS
Sleep apnea is a condition that causes repeated pauses in breathing while sleeping. These pauses may last 10 seconds or more and cause you to wake up over and over again. They can occur hundreds of times a night. The result is an inability to experience deep, restorative sleep. There are three main types of sleep apnea:
- Obstructive Sleep Apnea – OSA is the most common form of sleep apnea. It occurs when the muscles in the throat relax and block the airway during sleep, causing repeated pauses in breathing. These pauses may last up to 60 seconds at a time and you may wake up dozens of times a night without remembering the incidents.
- Central Sleep Apnea – CSA occurs when the brain does not send the correct signals for breathing. This may be the result of conditions such as heart failure or stroke.
- Complex Sleep Apnea – Known as treatment-emergent sleep apnea, Complex Sleep Apnea is a combination of OSA and CSA. It is often the result of treating OSA using CPAP therapy. It may alter your breathing patterns and confuse your brain’s signals.
What are the Symptoms of Sleep Apnea?
Chronic or Very Loud Snoring
Waking Up Gasping for Air
Frequent Wake Ups
Dry Mouth or Sore Throat Upon Waking
Morning Headaches
Irritability & Mood Swings
Daytime Fatigue & Exhaustion
Trouble Focusing
Depression
Consequences of Untreated Sleep Apnea
Untreated sleep apnea can have serious health risks for people of all ages, including:
Strokes
Heart Disease
Type 2 Diabetes
High Blood Pressure
Cognitive Impairment
Liver Damage
Depression
Untreated sleep apnea increases the risk of heart arrhythmias by 2-4x. It increases the risk of heart failure by 140x and the risk of coronary heart disease by 30%. It has consequences far more serious than loud snoring and poor sleep.
How Is Obstructive Sleep Apnea Treated in Wichita, KS?
CPAP (Continuous Positive Airway Pressure) Therapy:
CPAP Therapy involves the use of a CPAP machine that delivers a continuous stream of air through a mask or nose piece to keep your airway open while you sleep and prevent pauses in breathing. Although CPAP is often effective, it can be uncomfortable for nightly use.
Oral Appliance Therapy
Oral Appliance Therapy requires the use of a custom fitted sleep apnea appliance. It guides the lower jaw forward, opening the seal that commonly occurs between the tissues in the back of the mouth and upper airway. This allows a natural airflow to take place, preventing respiratory blockage during your sleep.
“Love dentistry was amazing. I went there for an appliance to help with my snoring. The level of care was top notch and the device worked wonders. My wife and I can sleep in the same room for the first time in years. My snoring could be heard across the house and is now almost completely gone. It was absolutely worth every penny!”
— Derek