Know the Potential Health Impact of Sleep Apnea

A serious medical condition, sleep apnea can cause a host of problems. The repeated awakenings that plague the night make getting normal, healthy, restorative sleep impossible. This lack of sleep often leads to severe daytime fatigue, drowsiness and irritability. As a result, people with sleep apnea may feel depressed, irritable or moody and may fall asleep while driving, working or watching television.

In addition to getting poor sleep each night, people who suffer from sleep apnea are also more likely to develop heart problems and high blood pressure and experience complications with surgery and medications. They are also more likely to develop liver problems and suffer relationship issues because their partners are also sleep-deprived.

After being diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnea, many patients find relief from seeing a sleep apnea dentist. In conjunction with lifestyle changes, weight loss and exercise, oral therapies can help sleep apnea patients sleep better at night and snore less.

Oral appliances are a particularly effective treatment for sleep apnea that is moderate or mild. Like a mouth guard, these small plastic devices fit comfortably in the mouth and prevent the tongue's collapse. The result is more adequate air intake and open airways during sleep.

Some appliance works by increasing the tongue's muscle tone. Others achieve results by stabilizing the tongue and lower jaw or repositioning the soft palate, lower jaw and tongue. Your dental sleep apnea specialist can determine the best appliance for your needs.

Easy to wear, comfortable and convenient, oral appliances are an excellent alternative to CPAP machines for patients with moderate or mild sleep apnea.

Sleep apnea dentistry can help people today address the health impacts of sleep apnea, and help provide you with a much needed restful night's sleep.

About the Author 

Dr. Dan Kelliher is an award winning cosmetic and sleep apnea dentist in Fairfax Virginia. Connect with him on Google+