Sleep Apnea Treatment – Rexburg, ID

What is Sleep Apnea?

For people who suffer from sleep apnea, there are momentary lapses in breathing that can happen up to a hundred times while they sleep. The most common form of the condition is obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), which refers to a partial blockage of the airway that inhibits the flow of oxygen. This can be caused by weight gain that adds extra girth in the neck area, the tongue falling to the back of the mouth, excessive consumption of alcohol or other contributing factors.

As a result of the pause in breathing, the brain sends a distress signal that causes a stir. While this is an awesome built-in safety mechanism, it leaves you feeling unrefreshed the next day and devoid of the benefits that typically come from a night of sleep.

If you suspect you’re suffering from sleep apnea, then you should bring it to your primary care physician’s attention so you can undergo a sleep test. We’ll then review your results and work with you to formulate an adequate treatment protocol.

Who is More Likely to Suffer from Sleep Apnea?

Sleep apnea can strike people of any age, as the condition is becoming more prevalent even among children. The populations with the highest risk factor of developing the condition, though, are men and women over the age of 40. As mentioned above, variables like weight gain and increased neck girth can play a significant role in limiting airflow. There are several lifestyle practices that impact your sleep, which include the usage of electronic devices before retiring for bed, eating late and enduring heightened stress.

The Dangers of Sleep Apnea

There’s no shortage of complications linked to sleep apnea, including:

• High blood pressure
• Heart disease
• Heart failure
• Stroke
• Type 2 diabetes
• Weight gain
• Metabolic syndrome
• Adult asthma
• Acid reflux
• Brain fog
• Daytime sleepiness
• Car accidents
• Memory loss
• Depression

The Common Symptoms of Sleep Apnea

There are several possible warning signs of sleep apnea that may go unnoticed for a lack of knowledge. So you won’t miss out on receiving the vital care you need, here are some of the more common symptoms to be cognizant of:

• Bed-wetting
• Loud snoring
• Decreased libido
• Morning headaches
• Bouts of depression
• Morning throat soreness
• Inability to concentrate

Mouth Breathing

You may not realize you’re breathing through your mouth instead of your nose, especially while you sleep. However, daytime mouth breathing is a key indication that you may also suffer from sleep apnea. This is because studies show that breathing through your mouth while asleep can trigger and exacerbate sleep apnea symptoms. Research even shows that mouth breathing increases airway collapse and resistance or oral appliance therapy!

Mouth breathing does not always mean you have sleep apnea. However, if you notice that you breathe more through your mouth than your nose, you should speak to your physician about getting a sleep test.

Overcoming CPAP Failure

The most typical form of sleep apnea therapy is the CPAP machine, which includes three parts: a base unit, tube, and mask. They work in tandem to force air into your throat while you sleep to prevent any lapses in breathing and to also allow for uninterrupted rest. While this is an effective form of therapy, it poses some challenges, the most common of which is CPAP failure. Fortunately, you can overcome this failure with an alternative system called Vivos! If you’d like to learn more about overcoming CPAP failure, continue reading or give our office a call today.  

How We Can Help You Recover: Vivos Treatment

The Vivos system is a nonsurgical and simple treatment that offers meaningful results for patients with OSA. This remarkable treatment addresses the anatomical abnormalities that cause OSA with a small, mouthguard-like appliance. It applies gentle pressure to the upper palate, which expands it to improve the compromised airway. Additionally, the Vivos system appliance may be designed to reposition the lower jaw and move it forward. Not only does this improve the wearer’s ability to breathe while sleeping, but it retrains the lower jaw to rest in this healthier position for long-term results.

Your custom Vivos system will reposition the jawbone and gently reshape the upper palate so that they no longer block the airway during sleep. Once your Vivos treatment is completed, you should be able to breathe easy and sleep soundly through the night without the use of a CPAP machine.

Sleep Apnea FAQs

Think you might have sleep apnea? You’re not alone. As someone who is looking for help, our team at Cornerstone Dental of Rexburg is here to help. Let us answer your questions, address your concerns, and help you get the care you need to start embracing a better quality of life. Below you will find multiple common questions pertaining to sleep apnea. If you need additional assistance, please do not hesitate to contact our office to schedule an appointment.