Sleep Apnea In Oakbrook Terrace, IL
Know More About Sleep Apnea from a Trusted Oak Brook Dentist
Sleep apnea is a serious medical condition that causes its
sufferers to stop breathing up to 30 times in one hour.
Most people are not aware it is happening until they wake up gasping for breath or feel like they are choking. While the typical pause in breathing lasts for only a few seconds, it can go on for up to a couple of minutes. Long and frequent periods without breathing can quickly escalate into a life-threatening situation. This is because sleep apnea causes an imbalance between oxygen and carbon dioxide levels in the bloodstream.
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Types and Symptoms of Sleep Apnea
Central sleep apnea occurs when the brain does not send appropriate messages to the body’s breathing muscles. Obstructive sleep apnea, which is more common, prevents air from passing through the mouth or nose even when the body has properly interpreted its own signals to breathe. If the sleep apnea fails to wake you up, the first indications that you have it may include headaches upon awakening, insomnia at night and sleepiness during the daytime. Untreated sleep apnea is linked to heart disease and other serious health concerns.
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How Your Oak Brook Dentist Treats Sleep Apnea
If you suspect you may have sleep apnea, it is essential to schedule an appointment with Dr. Haque for proper diagnosis and treatment. Some things you could possibly do to improve the condition include limiting the consumption of alcohol and tranquilizers and stop smoking altogether. Eliminating these habits prior to treatment helps increase your chance of a successful outcome.
Three popular sleep apnea procedures that Dr. Haque uses are giving the patient a sleep mask, using a dental appliance, and corrective surgery. The sleep mask helps to keep your airways open so you don’t stop breathing during sleep. Because many people find them uncomfortable, Dr. Haque is more likely to try a dental device that uses gentle pressure to push your jaw forward. At the same time, it prevents your tongue from blocking your primary air passage. Corrective surgery to pull the bones that hold the tongue in place forward is usually the last resort.