If you are disturbed by snoring each night (whether your own or a loved one’s), you might think it is just an aggravation. Yet, it could be a sign of a more serious issue – OSA. Obstructive Sleep Apnea is one type of sleep apnea, and Carter Yokoyama, DDS in Kailua-Kona encourages all patients to take a few moments to learn about the many benefits of sleep apnea treatment.
What Is OSA?
To understand the benefits of sleep apnea treatment requires understanding the risks associated with OSA. Though many people think it is an issue that causes snoring and disrupted sleep, it is related to many other issues. Symptoms and conditions related to it include:
- Daytime fatigue
- Foggy thinking
- High blood pressure
- Risk of heart attack or stroke
- Increased risk of diabetes
- Poor job performance
How can OSA cause so many issues? It is because it stops you from breathing many times, sometimes dozens of times, each night. It occurs when the soft tissue of the throat collapses upon itself, blocking your airway. Initially, it allows you to pull some air through the throat, causing snoring sounds. When the tissue comes together fully, you cannot breathe. You gasp and wake – though you rarely notice this – and begin breathing again. Sleep cycles cannot be interrupted so often without health issues occurring, and so one of the primary benefits of sleep apnea treatment is that it safely improves your sleep, and this improves your health.
How Is It Done?
Treatment is done using an oral appliance that is comfortable and designed specifically for you. Wearing it when you sleep ensures your airway is not blocked, even as you lay down. Of course, as your dentist in Kailua-Kona, we cannot diagnose your sleep apnea. That is something that must be done by your doctor through a sleep study. However, if you are diagnosed, our team can provide you with the many benefits of sleep apnea treatment by fitting you for your oral appliance.
Sleep Better Tonight with Sleep Apnea Treatment
Can you benefit from sleep apnea treatment? If so, give us a call at our Kailua-Kona, HI office at 808-322-0101. You can also use our online contact form and one of our staff will get back to you promptly.
