Sleep Apnea Tumwater, WA
Sleep apnea is a common medical condition where your breathing repeatedly stops and starts throughout the night while you sleep. While a proper diagnosis requires evaluation by medical professionals, many symptoms can be recognized at home. If you’re experiencing signs of sleep apnea, we encourage you to visit our experienced team at Deschutes River Dentistry for a comprehensive evaluation.
One of the most telltale signs of sleep apnea is persistent daytime fatigue, even after what seems like a full night’s rest. This exhaustion occurs because sleep apnea constantly disrupts your sleep cycle, preventing you from getting the deep, restorative REM sleep your body needs. Another common indicator is loud, frequent snoring. If your partner has mentioned that you snore consistently or loudly throughout the night, this could signal sleep apnea.
Types of Sleep Apnea
There are three distinct types of sleep apnea, each with different underlying causes. The most common form, and the one our dental team specializes in treating, is obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). This condition develops when the soft tissues in your throat, including your tongue and the muscles that support your airway, relax too much during sleep. When these muscles lose their tone, they can collapse and block your airway, interrupting your breathing.
The second type, central sleep apnea, stems from a neurological issue rather than a physical blockage. In these cases, your brain temporarily fails to send the proper signals to your breathing muscles, causing you to stop breathing during sleep. This form requires treatment from specialized medical professionals rather than dental practitioners.
The third type, complex sleep apnea syndrome, occurs when someone experiences both obstructive and central sleep apnea simultaneously. If you’re diagnosed with this combination, our dental professionals can effectively treat the obstructive component while your medical team addresses the central sleep apnea aspects.
What Are the Effects of Sleep Apnea?
Untreated sleep apnea can lead to serious health complications that extend far beyond feeling tired. Even mild to moderate cases can cause chronic exhaustion that significantly impacts your daily life, increasing your risk of workplace accidents, car crashes, and other injuries due to impaired concentration and slower reaction times.
The constant fatigue also weakens your immune system, making you more susceptible to illnesses and infections. Your body simply cannot function optimally without adequate, quality sleep. In severe cases prolonged oxygen deprivation during major sleep apnea episodes can potentially lead to serious complications, including cardiovascular problems and other health issues that require immediate medical attention.
How Is Sleep Apnea Treated?
Our dental professionals specialize in treating obstructive sleep apnea using custom-made oral appliances. These nighttime mouthguards look similar to sports mouthguards but are specifically designed and fitted for your unique mouth structure and sleep apnea needs. These therapeutic devices work by gently repositioning your lower jaw forward, which helps keep your airway open throughout the night. By maintaining your jaw in this optimal position, the appliance prevents the soft tissues from collapsing and blocking your breathing passages. Some designs also help position your tongue properly to further protect your airway from obstruction.
If you suspect you may have sleep apnea, or if you’ve already been diagnosed with OSA by your physician, our knowledgeable team at Deschutes River Dentistry is here to help you find relief. Take the first step toward better sleep and improved health by calling our office at (360) 786-9354 to schedule your consultation today.