Sleep Apnea Therapy – Grand Island, NE
Stop Your Snoring and Sleep Well Again
If you’ve constantly been feeling exhaustion throughout the day, or if you keep getting complaints about your loud snoring, you may need to be checked for sleep apnea. This disorder causes you to stop breathing multiple times during the night, and if left untreated, you might suffer from life-threatening heart problems and other serious health issues. At Stec & Stines Cosmetic and Family Dentistry, we can diagnose your symptoms and provide an oral appliance that can help you get healthy, restful sleep.
Why Choose Stec & Stines Cosmetic & Family Dentistry for Sleep Apnea Therapy?
- Customized Oral Appliance Therapy
- Comfortable In-Office Amenities
- Aided by the Latest Dental Technology
What You Need to Know About Sleep Apnea
In most cases, sleep apnea occurs when the throat muscles relax during sleep, partially or even totally blocking your airflow. This is known as obstructive sleep apnea. It’s particularly common with overweight or obese patients. Men and those over the age of 55 also have an increased risk.
Sleep apnea can stop your breathing up to 400 times per night, preventing your brain and other vital organs from getting the oxygen they need to function properly. This also puts an increased strain on your heart, heightening the risk of high blood pressure, stroke, and heart attacks. Diabetes has also been connected to sleep apnea in clinical research.
How Can You Tell if You Have Sleep Apnea?
Since sleep apnea almost always causes loud, constant snoring, your family or your roommate might notice the symptoms before you do. Other possible signs include:
- Waking up during the night gasping for air.
- Suffering from a dry mouth or throat in the morning.
- Sleepiness and irritability throughout the day.
- Morning headaches.
Note that not all of these symptoms will necessarily be present; additionally, loud snoring isn’t always caused by sleep apnea. You may need to make an appointment with your doctor for a diagnosis; they can refer you to a clinic where you can have a sleep test done.
Oral Appliance Therapy
Oftentimes, sleep apnea therapy involves a CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure) machine that forces air into the lungs throughout the night to keep the airway clear. While this is usually effective, it can also be very loud and make it harder for patients to sleep.
Stec & Stines Cosmetic and Family Dentistry offers a more comfortable form of sleep apnea treatment in the form of oral appliances. They reposition the jaw and tongue in a way that prevents the airflow from being blocked, thus keeping the effects of sleep apnea to a minimum. You’ll be able to breathe and sleep soundly throughout the night.
If you believe or suspect that you might be suffering from sleep apnea, contact our practice; we can help you figure out the necessary steps for improving your sleep and protecting your health!
