Obstructive Sleep Apnea Treatment

Imagine waking up in the middle of the night in a cold sweat, gasping for air as your heart pounds away in a frenzy. Can you see the annoyed look on your spouse’s face? These are just some of the symptoms you can expect from obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), a condition that affects over 18 million Americans and many times, goes unnoticed or just completely ignored.

Dr. Alan Zabolian at Samaritan Dental Arts knows that interrupted sleep can yield a series of health risks. The reality is that there are obstructive sleep apnea treatments available at our dental office in Downtown Los Angeles.

About Obstructive Sleep Apnea

OSA occurs when the airway to the lungs begin to collapse, restricting or sometimes even completely blocking air from entering. It’s one of the most common sleep disorders, yet despite this, it is estimated that 90 percent of people with OSA have never been diagnosed.

Symptoms

Sleepiness during the day
High blood pressure
Suddenly waking up, trying to breathe
Waking up with a sore throat or dry mouth
Waking up with chest pains
Morning headaches
Unable to concentrate during work or school
Shift in moods, depression

Who Should Treat OSA?

There are many sleep apnea treatment options available to you. The most obvious direction to head toward is through qualified doctors who specialize in sleep medicine. Though it may sound unconventional, visiting a dentist can also be helpful. It’s really not as strange as it sounds. Dentists who are qualified to treat OSA spend a great deal of their time looking into your airways anyway. They provide oral appliances to be worn during sleep.

Am I At Risk?

Assess yourself. Does your spouse complain about your snoring? Are you overweight or sleepy during the daytime? If so, you should consult a specialist right away. Severe obstructive sleep apnea has been linked to more serious health complications like diabetes, depression, acid reflux, stroke, and even heart failure.

OSA Treatment Options

Patients with OSA will be glad to know that they have treatment options. These options include:

Sleep Hygiene - a series of therapies and meetings that build better sleep habits
Oral Appliances - mouthguards
CPAP ( Continuous Positive Airway Pressure)Machine Therapy - mild air pressure is used to keep airways open
Surgery - used as last resort to reduce tissues in the soft palate, uvula and tongue.

Schedule a Consultation with Dr. Zabolian

Dr. Alan Zabolian and his team at Samaritan Dental Arts are dedicated to dentistry and also to the comfort and needs of his patients. If you think your sleeping pattern is all off and that you may be suffering from OSA, schedule a consultation for obstructive sleep apnea treatment with Dr. Zabolian today.