Sleep Apnea Treatment – San Antonio, TX

What Is Sleep Apnea?

Sleep apnea is a sleep disorder characterized by frequently interrupted breathing throughout the night. It is caused by a full or partial blocking of the airway. When you are asleep, the throat muscles may relax too much, causing the lower jaw to fall backward and partially or fully cut off the airway. Your breathing is constantly impeded as you breathe in and out at night.

In many patients, the tissues at the back of the throat vibrate during sleep apnea, resulting in loud snoring. When the airway is blocked, your body responds by partially and suddenly waking up to allow you to breathe. This may happen multiple times throughout the night without your awareness and can occur dozens or hundreds of times a night.

 Sleep apnea can have dangerous consequences, including high blood pressure, heart problems, excessive fatigue, liver problems, inability to concentrate, and more. Proper treatment of sleep apnea is essential for good health.

How Do I Know If I Have Sleep Apnea?

Your partner or family may be the first to notice something is wrong. If your snoring is so loud it disrupts sleep for your loved ones, it may be a sign of sleep apnea. Your partner may also notice that you frequently stop breathing for a few seconds and suddenly breathe again throughout the night. Other symptoms of sleep apnea include:

• Excessive daytime sleepiness
• Difficulty concentrating
• Lower sex drive
• Morning headaches
• Irritability
• Memory loss
• Excessive weight gain/trouble losing weight

Oral Appliance Treatment for Sleep Apnea

Until recently, most patients with sleep apnea had to rely on Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) machines. These used a mask covering the nose and mouth to deliver a steady oxygen flow, forcing the throat open. However, many people are not comfortable with CPAP machines because they are noisy, bulky, and difficult to take when traveling.

Recent developments in oral appliance design have resulted in several options for patients that are simpler, more comfortable, and just as effective. At Orbis Dental Group, we offer customized oral appliance therapy for our patients with sleep apnea with excellent results.

An oral appliance for sleep apnea works by adjusting the position of the lower jaw and moving it forward so that the airway in the back of the throat is not blocked. The oral device, sometimes called a splint, is custom-fitted to your mouth and is comfortable to wear while sleeping. There is no noise, oxygen hose, or headgear to keep the appliance in place. It is simply cleaned and stored in a small tray when you are awake and can travel with you wherever you go.