Sleep Apnea
Sleep apnea is a condition to take very seriously because it can lead to other major health consequences. At Humlicek Dental, we provide effective treatment for many cases of sleep apnea to help you improve your health.
Sleep Apnea Treatment in Wichita, KS
Sleep Apnea is a medical condition that causes an individual to have frequent and recurring shortness of breath while sleeping. This happens when the airway in the throat becomes too relaxed, causing it to block and prevent normal breathing. This condition is known as obstructive sleep apnea.
Signs of sleep apnea include:
- Poor sleeping habits.
- Frequent sore throats.
- Recurring headaches.
- An inability to get a restful night’s sleep.
We at our clinic are concerned about the overall health of our patients, including their sleep health. Many people suffer needlessly from dangerous sleep disorders that disrupt their breathing and prevent them from getting enough oxygen at night. Sleep disorders increase the risk of heart attack by 23 times more than average, and 92% of stroke victims unknowingly live with this condition before an attack.
Our training enables us to offer education and treatment regarding sleep health in the simplest and most cost-effective way possible.
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What is sleep apnea?
Sleep Apnea is a sleep disorder where breathing repeatedly starts and stops. The lapses in breathing results in lower quality sleep and affects the body’s oxygen supply, which can result in serious health consequences. There are three main types of sleep apnea:
- Obstructive sleep apnea. This is the most common form of sleep apnea and is caused by a person’s throat becoming overly relaxed while sleeping, blocking the airways and preventing normal breathing.
- Central sleep apnea. This occurs when your brain fails to submit signals to your breathing muscles, resulting in not breathing for a short period of time. This is a rare form of sleep apnea.
- Complex sleep apnea syndrome. Also known as treatment-emergent central sleep apnea occurs when someone has both obstructive sleep apnea and central sleep apnea.
This condition is normally associated with loud, intense snoring, but just because a person snores doesn’t mean they have sleep apnea. It can be caused by being overweight, excessive alcohol consumption or drug use can cause the airways to become more relaxed and cause blockages, and it can also be caused by genetics. People with a family history of sleep apnea are more likely to suffer from the condition. According to the Sleep Foundation “Sleep apnea is one of the most common sleep disorders in the United States. It can affect children and adults and people of both sexes, although it is more common in men.”
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How is sleep apnea diagnosed?
Sleep apnea is typically diagnosed using a polysomnogram, also known as a sleep study. This can be done at home or at a sleep disorder center. At Humlicek Dental, we offer a sleep study you can take in the comfort of your own home. The test records activities that occur while you sleep, including: brain activity, breathing, and oxygen levels. It also measures how long you spend in each sleep stage, how frequently you wake up, if you stop breathing, if you snore, and body position.
After the sleep study, a specialist goes over the data from your test. They analyze your brain activity and body system functioning to diagnose if a sleep disorder is present and recommend treatment.
Dr. Humlicek is trained in sleep medicine. So, if recommended she will work with the specialist to treat your obstructive sleep apnea with oral appliance therapy. We can provide you with a sleep apnea oral appliance, just contact us for a consultation.
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What are the signs of sleep apnea?
The most common symptoms of sleep apnea are listed below. Just because you have one, or a few of these, doesn’t mean you have sleep apnea. Check with your doctor to be certain.
- Very loud snoring
- Sleepiness and loss of energy when awake
- Painful headaches
- Restless sleep
- Insomnia and recurrent awakenings
- Waking up with a dry or sore throat
- Waking up in the night with gasping or choking sensations
- Sudden mood changes
- Poor concentration
- Going to the bathroom frequently at night
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How is sleep apnea treated?
Treatment of snoring and obstructive sleep apnea may involve surgery, CPAP or BiPAP machines, or oral appliance therapy. Oral appliances provide the least invasive option and often are a good choice for the treatment of mild to moderate OSA. A carefully calibrated appliance can comfortably help hold the jaw in a precise position throughout the night, allowing critical oxygen flow.
All treatment recommendations should be made in consultation with your sleep physician. Once a treatment path that you can use consistently is chosen, we may be able to provide critical support for your efforts. If appliance therapy is selected, it’s essential the right method and positioning are designed to precisely maintain your airway.
More Questions?
If you have any questions or would like to schedule an appointment, contact our office and we'll be happy to help.
