Sleep Apnea Treatment
What is Sleep Apnea? |
Obstructive sleep apnea occurs when the muscles in the back of the throat relax too much to allow normal breathing. Loud snoring with intermittent pauses of snoring or breathing are characteristics of obstructive sleep apnea. Interestingly, not all snoring is associated with sleep apnea.
Serious health risks are associated with obstructive sleep apnea. Blood oxygen levels drop during obstructive apnea. This event leads to an increase in blood pressure and a strain on the cardiovascular system. With obstructive sleep apnea, there are increased risks of heart attack, stroke, and irregular heart rhythms which can lead to life-threatening cardiac events. People with obstructive sleep apnea experience daytime sleepiness or drowsiness. They feel tired, irritable, and have trouble concentrating. It is quite common for these people to easily fall asleep while watching TV or while driving. |
How to Treat Sleep Apnea
The two most common treatments for obstructive sleep apnea are the CPAP and the oral appliance. The CPAP is a medical device consisting of a small bedside air compressor with an air hose and a mask that fits over the nose. Many patients find this device to be too cumbersome or uncomfortable and decide not to wear it.
The oral appliance for the treatment of obstructive sleep apnea is a custom made intraoral device that that is easily placed in the mouth at bedtime. It fits comfortably in the mouth, much like the fit of a well- fitting athletic mouth guard. This device maintains an open airway by propping the lower jaw slightly forward during sleep. The oral appliance is more easily tolerated than the CPAP by the majority of patients, and it has medical and dental approval for treatment of mild to moderate obstructive sleep apnea.
The oral appliance for the treatment of obstructive sleep apnea is a custom made intraoral device that that is easily placed in the mouth at bedtime. It fits comfortably in the mouth, much like the fit of a well- fitting athletic mouth guard. This device maintains an open airway by propping the lower jaw slightly forward during sleep. The oral appliance is more easily tolerated than the CPAP by the majority of patients, and it has medical and dental approval for treatment of mild to moderate obstructive sleep apnea.
Sleep and Pain
Many people are unaware that obstructive sleep apnea is closely associated with TMJ pain. Current research demonstrates that the frequent sleep disruptions that occur in obstructive sleep apnea lower one’s threshold to pain thereby aggravating various pain problems including headaches, facial pain, and TMJ pain. If you fail to feel refreshed in the morning, frequently wake up at night, and have difficulty falling asleep, then pain may be a significant component of your sleep disorder. When you see your Jackson, Mississippi TMJ specialist, you may be asked about your sleep history in order to determine if it relates to your jaw pain or chronic facial pain.
Frequently disrupted or disordered sleep can make your muscles and joints ache. This aching interrupts your sleep, interfering with its quality, as well as the quantity of sleep that you get each night. It’s a vicious cycle that keeps repeating itself. If you have TMJ-related facial pain then you may suffer from poor sleep quality. Many patients report these coexisting problems.
When sleep fails to become a priority, due to a busy and complicated lifestyle, then pain can present itself in many forms. Even if you make a habit of living an otherwise healthy lifestyle complete with proper eating habits and plenty of exercise, you can still miss out on the hours of sleep that you truly need. Many female patients, especially those with young children, are not getting the sleep that they need. Poor sleep quality may trigger jaw pain or explain why a patient’s pain is not improving.
Most people need between seven to eight hours of sleep every night. That sleep should be quality sleep, not the kind with tossing, turning, and frequent wake-ups to look at the clock. Sleep is healing and can keep your muscles and joints working properly. Your routine during the last several hours prior to bedtime can greatly influence your quality of sleep and thus your pain level. Dr. Riley can offer helpful advice to prepare you for a healthy night of sleep, conducive to TMJ pain relief.
If you are having difficulty sleeping, find yourself tired and unrefreshed in the morning, or have jaw pain, an exam for sleep apnea is indicated. Call the office of Dr. Paul C .Riley or fill out the contact page on this website. Dr. Riley is Jackson Mississippi’s preeminent TMJ specialist.
Frequently disrupted or disordered sleep can make your muscles and joints ache. This aching interrupts your sleep, interfering with its quality, as well as the quantity of sleep that you get each night. It’s a vicious cycle that keeps repeating itself. If you have TMJ-related facial pain then you may suffer from poor sleep quality. Many patients report these coexisting problems.
When sleep fails to become a priority, due to a busy and complicated lifestyle, then pain can present itself in many forms. Even if you make a habit of living an otherwise healthy lifestyle complete with proper eating habits and plenty of exercise, you can still miss out on the hours of sleep that you truly need. Many female patients, especially those with young children, are not getting the sleep that they need. Poor sleep quality may trigger jaw pain or explain why a patient’s pain is not improving.
Most people need between seven to eight hours of sleep every night. That sleep should be quality sleep, not the kind with tossing, turning, and frequent wake-ups to look at the clock. Sleep is healing and can keep your muscles and joints working properly. Your routine during the last several hours prior to bedtime can greatly influence your quality of sleep and thus your pain level. Dr. Riley can offer helpful advice to prepare you for a healthy night of sleep, conducive to TMJ pain relief.
If you are having difficulty sleeping, find yourself tired and unrefreshed in the morning, or have jaw pain, an exam for sleep apnea is indicated. Call the office of Dr. Paul C .Riley or fill out the contact page on this website. Dr. Riley is Jackson Mississippi’s preeminent TMJ specialist.
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Schedule your Sleep Apnea Evaluation with Dr. Paul Riley, DDS by calling us
at (769) 567-2555. or filling out a form. Learn more about Sleep Apnea Treatment in Mississippi. Contact our Dental Office. |