The Common Warning Signs Of Sleep Apnea
When people come to us with sleep apnea issues, we can help them stop snoring and rest with ease again using an oral appliance approach, or a combined approach with a CPAP machine. But how do you know if your daytime exhaustion and snoring are related to sleep apnea? Our helpful sleep center in Ballston Spa, NY, explains how we assess your warning signs!
The Warning Signs and Causes
What are the common warning signs of sleep apnea? You may notice (or your significant other could let you know about) chronic snoring. Other warning signs include waking suddenly in the night gasping for or choking, dry mouth in the morning, headaches, moodiness, and issues with concentration or memory. When you have symptoms like these, reach out to our team right away! Sleep apnea happens when airways are obstructed while you sleep by the collapse of soft tissues in the throat and mouth. This means you stop breathing briefly until the brain notices the drop in oxygen and wakes you up. While you may not recall this happening, it can happen hundreds of times a night. As a result, you are sleep deprived! Risk factors could include obesity, large neck circumference, sinus and allergy issues, deviated septum, and sleeping on your back.
Starting Your Diagnosis
When you encounter one or more of these potential sleep apnea warning signs, you shroud let us know. We will ask you about possible symptoms and risk factors to assess the likelihood you have a sleep disorder. To gain a better understanding of your sleep issues, we may also send you home with a special at-home sleep test. You wear the device as you rest in the comfort of your own bed, and it records apneic episodes. Our board-certified sleep physician then interprets these results and decides if you need further treatment.
Oral Appliance Therapy
With oral appliance therapy, we will take detailed digital images and measurements of your mouth and use them to design and custom-fit an oral appliance, one that fits like a mouthguard. This is worn as you rest at night and helps correct the position of your jaw and tongue to keep airways open and free of obstruction. You then rest without difficulty, and wake feeling more rested and alert. The device is easy to use and clean, and can travel with you easily too!
If you have any questions about the warning signs of sleep apnea, then contact our team today.
Do You Have Questions About Sleep Appliances?
Our team wants to help you sleep easier and feel more alert and rested when you wake up. To find out whether you need a custom oral appliance, then call Integrative Sleep Center in Ballston Spa, NY at (518) 885-6185 today!
