Let’s face it, snoring is a nuisance, but we all snore from time to time. Snoring is caused by vibrations in the tissues of the nose and throat. In most cases, snoring is common depending on your sleeping position, medications, or if you are ill. However, there are times when snoring is not normal and may indicate a more serious problem. Loud, chronic snoring is one of the main symptoms of a sleep disorder, known as obstructive sleep apnea. When left untreated, there are potentially deadly complications while your quality of life significantly declines. If you suspect you have the disorder, you need sleep apnea treatment in Dunwoody immediately.
Complications of Snoring and Sleep Apnea
Sleep apnea is a chronic condition that affects at least 25 million adults in the United States. However, it is expected that number is far higher as many people fail to recognize the main symptoms of the condition, such as snoring. Sleep apnea occurs when the airways become narrowed due to the collapsing of soft tissues. As a result, pauses in breathing occur while sleeping. These pauses can happen hundreds of times per night with each pause potentially lasting longer than a minute.
As the airways collapse, chronic snoring is often the first indicator of the disorder. However, other symptoms can occur as well, such as waking frequently choking or gasping for air. It is not uncommon to have morning time headaches from poor oxygen levels or fatigue from lack of sleep. Decreased sleep quality can cause mood changes and even sleep deprivation.
When sleep apnea is not treated, the long-term consequences of decreased oxygen takes a toll on the body. Your risk for cardiovascular disease, including heart attack and stroke, significantly increases. Thankfully, you can restore your sleep quality and protect your health with safe and effective treatment.
Treatment of Sleep Apnea
If snoring and sleep apnea are keeping you awake at night, it is time to seek treatment. Dr. Jeff Rodgers provides the most preferred and effective solutions for sleep apnea therapy. Oral appliances are often the most recommended. An oral appliance is similar to a mouthguard; however, instead of protecting the teeth, it repositions the jaw forward. By keeping the jaw forward, the airways are kept open, preventing pauses in breathing and snoring. There are several types of oral appliances available, including SomnoDent Sleep Appliances and the Narval.
In some cases, an oral appliance may not be the right option. You may need a CPAP machine. This machine delivers a steady stream of air through a mask that is worn over the mouth or nose while you sleep. The airflow will keep the air passages open to prevent pauses in breathing.
To determine which form of treatment will meet your needs, you will need to schedule a consultation with Dr. Rodgers. Dr. Rodgers is specially trained to treat sleep apnea so you can sleep better while improving your health.
If you need treatment for snoring or sleep apnea, please contact our office to schedule your consultation.