BREATHING WELLNESS & SLEEP APNEA
Sleep Apnea Treatment
Sleep is an absolutely vital part of one’s day to day life, and when it’s being constantly disrupted by snoring, the loss can take a serious toll on your physical/mental health, your productivity, and your relationships. If you think you may have sleep apnea or know you have it and are currently struggling to use a cumbersome CPAP machine, Dr. Osseiran can help correctly diagnose and effectively treat your sleep disorder. Dr. Osseiran offers custom oral appliance therapy as a way to help patients overcome mild to moderate symptoms and finally get a good night’s rest. Contact us today to learn more about sleep apnea therapy in Northern Virginia, Maryland and the DMV region.
What Is Sleep Apnea
Obstructive sleep apnea (also known as OSA) occurs when the muscles in the throat relax too much during sleep, causing a collapse of soft tissue that blocks the airway. In order to resume air flow and start breathing again, the patient must awake briefly, and these disturbances can happen dozens, even hundreds, of times per night. Sleep apnea is more common in men, and being overweight or having a narrow airway/misaligned jaw can also increase your overall risk of developing this health problem over time.
Risks Of Sleep Apnea If Untreated
Treating OSA as soon as possible is very important. Left untreated, this condition is very likely to cause excessive daytime sleepiness, morning headaches, and even impacted memory and concentration. Its presence can contribute to other systemic issues as well, including:
- Heart disease
- Diabetes
- Chronic acid reflux
- High blood pressure
- Erectile dysfunction
Sleep apnea can also be an immediate threat to yourself and the people around you. It may increase your risk of drowsy driving or workplace accidents.
Oral Appliance Therapy
The most common treatment option for OSA is a CPAP machine, but many patients struggle to adapt to this bulky and noisy machinery. If your symptoms are moderate to mild, talk to Dr. Osseiran about the possibility of using an oral appliance instead! These custom devices fit just like a retainer and slightly adjust the jaw’s position so that the airway remains open throughout the night, greatly reducing the risk of apnea episodes.
Breathing Wellness & Snoring Treatment
Many people assume that loud snoring and untreated sleep apnea are always connected, but this isn’t necessarily true. However, chronic snorers should still seek out treatment options, as they are at a higher risk of developing OSA than their quieter counterparts. In many cases, oral appliance therapy can help minimize snoring and improve your breathing while also protecting the wearer’s health.
