If you have trouble sleeping, chronic snoring, and other signs of trouble, how do you know if you have obstructive sleep apnea (OSA)? In today’s blog, your Greenville, TX, dentist explains how we assess your risk and diagnose the presence of OSA, and the potential solution we may recommend to put a stop to your sleep disorder!
The Signs of Trouble
You may notice a few changes to your daily life. Since the disorder actually makes us stop breathing for a few moments at night, waking suddenly gasping for air or choking is often encountered. People tend to feel exhausted during the day, even if they never remember waking up, because the cessation of breathing interrupts our REM sleep cycle, often hundreds of times in a single night. Other warning signs include dry mouth, headaches, trouble staying focused, and moodiness. If one or more of these common warning signs sounds familiar, then please stop by our office for a sleep assessment.
A Sleep Assessment
Basically, the assessment is a series of questions to help us better understand how well you sleep, or don’t. We want to know when you lay down when you get up, if you wake in the night, and experience drowsiness. We also look at your blood pressure, weight, and ask about common indicators of depression. Each question helps us better gauge your risk, and decide whether you need further diagnosis to find the proper treatment option.
The Pulse Oximeter Device
For an accurate and precise diagnosis, we will send you home with a small device called a pulse oximeter. The device sits at your bedside and registers your breathing, taking record of when you stop. The device also monitors your blood pressure, blood oxygen levels, and more. The results then let us know if you need treatment for OSA. For some, we could also recommend a physician-ordered sleep study in a lab setting.
An Oral Appliance
If you have OSA, then we have a nonsurgical approach to treatment. With a custom oral appliance, you wear a device similar in fit to a mouthguard. The device is created for your smile, ensuring a proper fit and accurate treatment. The device essentially moves your jaw forward to keep airways open and free. You breathe without interruption and avoid further symptoms. If you have any questions about how we diagnose and treat issues like chronic snoring and OSA, the please contact our team today.
Smith Family Dentistry in Greenville Treats Sleep Troubles
At Smith Family Dentistry, we want to help you enjoy a good night’s rest once again. To learn more about how we diagnose the factors behind your poor rest, then talk to Dental Sleep Solutions of Greenville by contacting our office at 903-455-0516.