How Can You Get Rid of Obstructive Sleep Apnea?

Cases of sleep disorders have increased significantly. Sleep apnea is one of the most common disorders when breathing stops and begins while sleeping. Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is the most common sleep breathing apnea. It happens when your throat muscles relax too much, causing your airway to close and your breathing to stop. In most cases, sleep apnea is signified by loud snoring. Since it happens during sleep, many people aren’t aware they have the condition.

If left untreated, obstructive sleep apnea can lead to several health complications such as cardiovascular diseases, mental health issues, poor immune function, and memory loss. For this reason, seeking treatment is essential if you suspect you have sleep apnea. Symptoms to watch out for include:

• Loud snoring
• Excessive daytime sleepiness
• Waking up abruptly while choking or gasping for air
• Awakening with a dry mouth
• Awakening with a sore throat
• Repeated episodes of breathing stopping during sleep
• Daytime fatigue and drowsiness
• Morning headaches
• Difficulty concentrating during the day
• Mood changes such as irritability or depression
• Decreased libido
• Poor work and school performance

Visit our dental office in Claremont, NH, for sleep apnea diagnosis and treatment.

Treatment for Sleep Apnea

There are many treatment options for sleep apnea. Before treatment, the dentist will begin by diagnosing you. You may undergo a sleep test, among other tests. Depending on the severity of your sleep apnea, the dentist or doctor can recommend the following treatments:

• Lifestyle Changes Certain lifestyle changes can help reduce sleep apnea and improve the quality of your sleep:
• Weight loss. Obese and overweight individuals can improve sleep apnea by losing weight. Excessive fatty tissues around the neck and upper airway can cause OSA during sleep. Losing weight will help you achieve a healthy weight and reverse or improve your sleep apnea.
• Avoid certain medications. Some medications like antidepressants, antihistamines, antidiabetics, anticonvulsants, and opioids can affect your natural sleeping cycle, worsening your sleep apnea. If you use these medications, consult your doctor about your options.
• Avoid or limit alcohol intake. Excessive alcohol consumption, especially before bed, increases your risk of sleep apnea by about 25%. Avoiding alcohol can help improve your sleep apnea.
• Change your Sleep Position. Many people experience more episodes of sleep apnea or loud snoring when sleeping on the back. Sleeping on the side can help improve your condition. Best sure to keep your head elevated.
• Quit Smoking. Smoking increases swelling and inflammation in the upper airway, worsening your sleep apnea. Quitting tobacco products can help relieve sleep apnea and improve your sleep.
• Wear a Mouthpiece. The dentist can recommend making lifestyle changes and using a mouthpiece for moderate sleep apnea. While it won’t cure sleep apnea, it will prevent or improve your symptoms. The two main types of mouthpieces you can use include:
• Tongue stabilizing devices. These devices help stabilize or hold the tongue in position. It prevents the tongue from falling back in the airway and blocking breathing.
• Mandibular Advancement Devices (MAD). Your dentist can create a customized night guard to wear at night when sleeping. The night guard looks like a sports guard. It moves the lower jaw forward to keep your airway open when sleeping.
• CPAP Machine The dentist might recommend a CPAP machine for moderate to severe sleep apnea. The CPAP machine connects to a mask worn over the nose and mouth while sleeping. The machine constantly delivers pressure through the mask, preventing the airway from closing. While very helpful in reducing or preventing sleep apnea, it doesn’t treat sleep apnea. The apnea episodes will return as soon as you stop using the CPAP.
• Surgery While surgery is a last resort, it’s a better option to cure sleep apnea permanently. Surgery can correct conditions like enlarged tonsils, enlarged adenoids, narrow jawbones, and a long palate.

Final Verdict

Now that you know about OSA treatment options to get rid of sleep apnea, be sure to speak to your doctor or dentist if you suspect you have sleep apnea. The dentist will try to diagnose the underlying condition before recommending treatment. For more information about Sleep Apnea Treatments in Claremont, NH, contact Claremont Dental Group.