Have you been told that you snore loudly in your sleep?
Obstructive sleep apnea, or excessive loud snoring, can harm you and your loved ones. Often, patients are unaware that they are suffering from sleep apnea until a roommate or sleeping partner tells them about their loud snoring. Some patients may not think that their snoring is a concern that their dentist can help with.
However, Dr. Nishan Halim, your local dentist in Washington, DC, is able to help you control your loud snoring with oral appliance therapy or laser dentistry solutions. Depending on your needs, we can help you reduce the chances of your soft tissues getting in the way of your breathing patterns and ensure that you and those around you achieve a good night’s rest.
Sleep Apnea Treatment in Washington, DC
Loud snoring causes a wide range of issues for your physical health as well as the health of your relationships. When you snore, this means that something is blocking your airway and preventing you from getting a full breath of air in certain sleeping positions.
The loud snoring can cause you to wake up while you sleep while also causing your loved ones to wake up. Achieving a full, good night’s sleep is important to your health and the health of those around you. If you are unsure if you are suffering from obstructive sleep apnea, watch out for the following symptoms:
- Loud snoring
- Waking up in the middle of the night
- Heavy mouth breathing
- Gasping for air in your sleep
- Daytime fatigue
- Irritability
- Dry mouth
To help manage these symptoms, Dr. Halim may recommend oral appliance therapy through a custom mouthguard. Custom mouthguards hold your jaw in a healthier resting position as you sleep. They ensure you maintain the appropriate airway to breathe properly as you sleep.
Many patients enjoy oral appliance therapy because it is more compact and portable than traditional CPAP machines. We can also offer laser dentistry solutions to safely and effectively remove excess soft tissues that may get in the way of your breathing pattern.
Obstructive Sleep Apnea Health Complications & Risk Factors
Sleep apnea’s consequences are much more than just missing some sleep. When you don’t sleep well, it has serious impacts. Your mind is foggier during the day, causing problems with decision-making. It’s hard to think clearly or solve problems.
Sleep helps you store memories, meaning those are impacted too. You’re fatigued throughout the day and may struggle to stay awake even when it matters most. Lack of sleep weakens your immune system. You’re more susceptible to infections and viruses.
Since sleep apnea is a breathing issue, breathing problems are common. You stop breathing multiple times when you’re asleep. Since your breathing is being paused, your blood oxygen levels are lower. Your body needs this oxygen to function properly. When you aren’t getting enough, it’s harder for the body just to do basic functions.
The severest impacts of sleep apnea are those on the heart and circulatory system. Sleep apnea makes you more likely to experience high blood pressure, stroke, irregular heart rhythm, and heart failure. Levels of bad cholesterol and your blood sugar are elevated, too. With problems like these, you’re even at a higher risk of death when you suffer from untreated sleep apnea.
Schedule An Appointment
A sleep test may be needed to diagnose your sleep apnea. If this is the case, Dr. Halim can make appropriate recommendations to ensure you receive the proper care. To start managing your sleep apnea, schedule a consultation with our local dentist in Capitol Hill, DC, today. We look forward to helping you achieve a good night’s rest for many years.