Many people don’t realize how precious sleep is until they’re deprived of it. Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), a sleep disorder that affects approximately 18 million Americans, can deprive you of quality sleep even while you remain unconscious and unaware of your condition. As a Livonia dentist with years of experience in obstructive sleep apnea medicine, Dr. James Stewart has helped many patients of all ages find the rest that their minds and bodies need through effective OSA treatment.
The Mechanics of OSA
If you or your partner snore incessantly, you both may be suffer from symptoms of sleep loss. Obstructive sleep apnea is a dysfunction that causes you to stop breathing in your sleep due to oral tissues completely blocking your airway. As you sleep, the tissues in your mouth and throat can collapse and partially block your airway. Snoring is the sound of tissues in your throat vibrating as your breath squeezes past the obstruction, and if loud enough, it can constantly wake your sleeping partner throughout the night. If you have OSA, then these tissues will periodically block your airway entirely, preventing air from entering and escaping at all. After a few moments, sometimes more than a minute, your brain will panic and wake the body to restart the breathing process. The constant interruptions, which can occur hundreds of times a night, prevent you from achieving the deep state of sleep required for your brain and body to rejuvenate themselves.
Finding Rest at Your Dentist’s Office
The wake-sleep cycles of sleep apnea typically go unnoticed by the OSA patient, and you may experience the symptoms of sleep deprivation in spite of what you might believe was a good night of sleep. You and your sleeping partner can suffer from daytime fatigue, headaches and/or a sore throat upon waking in the morning, irritability, depression, blood pressure problems, and a host of other health complications. If you suspect that you may have sleep apnea, or if you’ve been diagnosed with OSA but cannot sleep comfortably with the prescribed continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machine, then call us today. Dr. Stewart can custom design a sleepguard made to hold your lower jaw in a forward position while you sleep. The support helps prevent oral tissues from falling into your airway, keeping it clear and allowing you to breathe and rest peacefully while you and your partner sleep.
About Dr. James Stewart:
Our philosophy is that excellent dental begins with developing a relationship with the patient. James Steward, DDS, and our compassionate staff proudly serve patients of all ages from Livonia, Farmington Hills, Plymouth, Northville, Dearborn Heights, Garden City, and all surrounding communities. To schedule an appointment, call our office today at (734) 425-4400.