If your doctor has recently recommended you undergo a sleep study, you may have been caught a bit off guard. A sleep study is often recommended for patients who are suspected to have sleep apnea. Sleep apnea is a sleep disorder that affects more than 25 million Americans. It results when the airways collapse at night, causing numerous pauses in breathing frequently throughout the night. Since the symptoms of the condition can be difficult to recognize, a sleep study is the only effective means to properly diagnose the condition. If you are found to have the disorder, you will need treatment for sleep apnea in Richardson.
Why Do I Need a Sleep Study?
If you suffer from morning headaches, snore excessively, experience daytime fatigue, or poor sleep quality, your doctor may suspect you have sleep apnea. Untreated sleep apnea significantly decreases your quality of life while also causing potentially life-threatening complications.
The most notable symptoms of the disorder involve loud, excessive snoring and headaches. However, the symptoms also include fatigue, waking frequently at night choking or gasping for air, and waking with a sore or dry throat. Over time, symptoms can progress to cause mood changes, depression, and irritability. When proper sleep is not restored, it can lead to sleep deprivation, which increases your risk for accidents as cognitive abilities decline.
The lack of oxygen takes a toll on your body, especially the heart. The heart is placed under significant strain, increasing the risk for cardiovascular disease. If this occurs, your risk for heart attack and stroke drastically increases.
Where Can I Get a Sleep Study?
If your doctor suspects sleep apnea, your next step should be an overnight sleep study where technicians will monitor your breathing and behaviors. In some cases, if you’re otherwise healthy with no signs of complications, you may be eligible instead for a home sleep study. But, that decision should only be made by a sleep doctor who has conducted a full exam.
After analyzing the data from the sleep study, a diagnosis can be provided to begin treatment. Often, mild to moderate cases of the disorder are treated with an oral appliance. An oral appliance is a custom-made device that is worn at night to reposition the jaw forward. By doing so, the airways are kept open to prevent pauses in breathing.
However, in some cases, an oral appliance may not be effective. Those with severe sleep apnea may require a CPAP machine. A CPAP machine delivers a steady stream of air pressure through a mask that is worn over the mouth or nose to keep the airways open.
Where Can I Get Sleep Apnea Treatment?
CityLine Dental Center offers the treatments you need for sleep apnea. If you have recently been diagnosed with the condition, we provide the effective treatments to meet your needs. We offer custom-made oral appliances to restore your quality of sleep while protecting your health.
If you need sleep apnea treatment, contact CityLine Dental Center today to schedule your consultation.