Do you wake up feeling like you haven’t slept at all? Are you keeping your partner awake with loud snoring?
Snoring may be more than just a sleep habit: it can be an indicator of an underlying health issue that can sometimes be detrimental to overall physical health and well being.
Patients who snore may have obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), a condition which causes a patient to stop breathing momentarily during sleep and then resume breathing with a loud snore. During these apnea episodes patients with OSA are at risk of developing irregular heart rhythms and reduced oxygen flow to vital organs, including the brain. Snoring can truly be a sign of a serious long term health risk.
Dr. Caves offers sleep apnea therapy for his Columbus area dental patients. Determining the cause of snoring is an important part of providing the correct treatment for long term relief from symptoms and possible health risks and Dr. Caves will work with a patient’s regular physician to coordinate diagnostic testing and care for OSA.
Symptoms of OSA:
- Sleepiness or fatigue during the daytime
- Dry mouth or sore throat upon awakening
- Headaches in the morning
- Trouble concentrating, forgetfulness, depression, or irritability
- Night sweats
- Restlessness during sleep
- Snoring
- Sudden awakenings with a sensation of gasping or choking
- Difficulty getting up in the mornings
Dr. Caves offers oral appliance therapy for OSA patients: a customized oral device that is worn during sleep to help keep the airway open and prevent the sudden cessation of breathing and resulting snoring. Many patients prefer this type of therapy to using a machine device such as the CPAP- it is more convenient and comfortable in most cases and patients are more likely to use this appliance each night.
Snoring can be detrimental to your daily life and also present health risks: if you or your partner snore it is important to schedule a consultation with Dr. Caves in his Columbus, GA dental office. Get the treatment – and relief- you need for a good night’s sleep and a healthy life!