Sleep Apnea Solutions in Kirkwood
Sleep Apnea Treatment in Kirkwood, MO
Sleep apnea treatment is a silent (except for the snoring) killer. It can take years off a person’s life, and increase the chances of high blood pressure, heart failure, and stroke.
Sleep apnea treatment at Kirkwood Station Dental is simple and can dramatically improve lives. Better sleep means more energy to live well, feel better, and have an improved outlook on life.
What is sleep apnea?
Sleep apnea is a medical condition in which your breathing stops periodically during sleep, as often as 20 to 30 times per hour. Each time you stop breathing in your sleep, the resulting lack of oxygen alerts your brain, which temporarily wakes you up to restart proper breathing.
Since the time spent awake is so brief, most people with sleep apnea don’t remember it, and many believe they are getting a good night’s sleep when, in fact, they are not. The constant wake-sleep, wake-sleep cycle prevents those with sleep apnea from achieving deep sleep, resulting in a constant drowsy feeling during the day.
The following symptoms can indicate the presence of sleep apnea. If you notice one or more of these, contact Kirkwood Station Dental.
- Insomnia or difficulty sleeping
- Loud snoring at night
- Waking up at night short of breath
- Snorting or choking sounds during the night (indicating a restart of breathing)
- Headaches upon waking in the morning
- Falling asleep unintentionally during the day
- Extreme drowsiness throughout the day
Diagnosis and Treatment
Our team can screen for conditions commonly associated with sleep apnea or sleep-disordered breathing, and refer for sleep tests which are read and scored by physicians with advanced training in sleep disorders. The physicians then refer back to us to make, place, and monitor oral devices when appropriate.
Sleep apnea treatment can be very successful, depending on the treatment chosen. Not all treatment choices are appropriate for every individual. We offer removable intraoral devices that work by opening the airway to allow for better breathing and improved oxygen levels. Oral appliances used for mild-to-moderate cases are more than 90% successful in reducing the sleep test scores and improving symptoms.
For patients who have moderate-to-severe sleep apnea, CPAP therapy is preferred, but many studies have indicated that only about 50% of the patients who have CPAP machines wear it as directed. For patients who are CPAP-intolerant, an oral device is a good option.
During your initial consultation at our Kirkwood, MO dental office, your screening index, snoring level, and concerns are reviewed and the likelihood, or not, of sleep-disordered breathing is discussed. If your responses and symptoms indicate potential problems, then a sleep test is arranged.
The examination and sleep test findings are reviewed and discussed at the second consultation appointment. Also reviewed at this time are treatment alternatives such as sleeping posture therapy, weight loss, nasal canulas, oral devices, surgery, and CPAP machines.
If you or a loved one suffers from sleep apnea, the Kirkwood Station Dental team can help! Simply contact our office and schedule an appointment with Dr. Thomure or Dr. Grybinas. We can get you back to getting a good night’s rest as soon as possible.
