Sleep apnea affects on average around 22 million Americans every year. At Desert Ridge Orthodontics in Phoenix, Dr. Michael Papademetriou and Dr. Catherine Smith are committed to finding practical solutions to sleep apnea to eliminate chronic snoring, breathing, and sleeping issues, through comprehensive diagnostic and preventive care. Get in touch with the office today by phone or online to book an initial consultation.
Sleep apnea occurs when there is a repeated blockage in your upper airway during your sleep.
Suffering from sleep apnea can put you at risk of total respiratory failure, though, in most cases, it causes you to stop breathing for brief intervals during the night. This prompts you to snore and wake up dehydrated with a sore throat.
If left untreated, sleep apnea can lead to heart disease, diabetes, and more.
Sleep apnea comes in three different forms:
As the most common type of sleep apnea, obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) happens when your throat relaxes so much that it collapses or when your tongue systematically blocks the airway in your throat. This causes breathing difficulties throughout the night.
Central sleep apnea (CSA) refers to the malfunctioning of the medulla, the area of your brain that controls your swallowing ability and heart rate, and how you breathe. When you’re suffering from CSA, you lose control of your breathing and can stop breathing entirely for a brief period.
Mixed sleep apnea refers to a combination of central and obstructive sleep apnea. This is often uncontrollable and needs immediate medical attention.
Dr. Papademetriou and Dr. Smith can give you an expert diagnosis and suggest treatment according to the type of sleep apnea you suffer from.
While sleep apnea affects each individual differently, its most common symptoms include:
Contact a team member at Desert Ridge Orthodontics if you’ve experienced any of the above.
Sleep apnea can be treated in a variety of ways. Most common are oral devices placed over your mouth during the night to help your airways stay clear and open. The most standard method is a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) device, which takes the shape of a mask that you place over your face.
Other treatments can include a series of lifestyle changes that reduce the pressure put on your airways, such as rebalancing your diet and quitting smoking.
Call Desert Ridge Orthodontics or schedule an appointment online today to learn more about your options for treating sleep apnea.
