Sleep apnea is a sleep disorder that affects around 4% of the world’s population. It is a serious sleep disorder that can cause a person to stop breathing for short periods of time during their sleep. This can lead to several health problems, including high blood pressure, heart disease, and stroke.
So finding a permanent solution for sleep apnea patients is crucial. Hence we got in touch with Stone Oaks Aesthetics to talk to some of the best cosmetic dentists in San Antonio to find out how they treat patients with sleep apnea.
What Is Sleep Apnea And How Is It Caused?
Sleep apnea is a condition where the patient’s throat tissues collapse blocking the airway. This leads to trouble in breathing and the patient wakes up frequently during the night.
It is characterized by snoring, disturbed sleep, and in more serious cases, a complete cessation of breathing.
Sometimes, the breathing can pause several times within a minute. So of course the condition can be threatening and can even lead to death.
There are many potential causes of sleep apnea. Some people may be more likely to develop the condition due to their anatomy, while others may experience sleep apnea as a result of lifestyle choices or other health conditions.
Some of the most common causes of sleep apnea include:
- Obesity or excess weight
- Alcohol
- Narrow throat
- Hypothyroidism
- Smoking
- Enlarged tonsils and adenoids
How To Treat Sleep Apnea Permanently?
The first thing to do for treating sleep apnea is to find the root cause. This can be done through a medical examination by your doctor or a sleep test where your breathing is monitored overnight for patterns of disruption.
If obesity is the cause, losing excess weight usually helps relieve pressure from throat muscles. There are a few permanent treatments for sleep apnea as well
- Surgery: Through surgery, you can fix problems with your throat, tongue, or tonsils that might be causing your sleep apnea. Surgery is generally the last resort for people with sleep apnea, as it is invasive and can have serious side effects.
- Dental devices: These are custom-made mouthpieces created by cosmetic dentists that keep the lower jaw in a forward position, preventing the collapse of throat muscles.
- Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP): CPAP is a machine that delivers pressurized air through a mask to keep the airway open. It is the most common treatment for sleep apnea and is currently considered the gold standard in treating obstructive apnea.
Which Treatment Is Right For You?
Sleep apnea is a common disorder that can greatly impact the quality of life. Fortunately, there are many permanent treatment options available. If you are interested in learning more about your treatment options, please book an appointment with Stone Oaks Aesthetics for a consultation.
They provide dental devices and sleep apnea machine in San Antonio and work with specialists who have studied sleep medicine to create the right treatment plan for you. They would be happy to answer any questions you may have and help you get on the path to better health. So call Stone Oaks Aesthetics today to book your appointment.
