Sleep Apnea Treatment Near Severna Park and Millersville
According to the American Academy of Sleep Medicine, nearly 25 million in this country are negatively affected by sleep apnea. Sleep apnea is a breathing disorder where breathing repeatedly starts and stops during sleep. Because sleep apnea is common, Dr. Brian Valle PA suggests that you each look at the following symptoms to get an idea if you may be suffering from sleep apnea. If you have been experiencing these symptoms, please consider speaking with us so we can refer you to a doctor to receive a sleep study for a sleep apnea diagnosis and treatment.
- Gasping for air during sleep
- Loud snoring
- Difficulty paying attention while awake
- Waking up with a dry mouth
- Excessive daytime sleepiness
- Morning headache
Due to the climb in patients suffering from sleep apnea, doctors and dentists have started working together to help patients find treatment for specific types of sleep apnea. The two main types of sleep apnea are; obstructive sleep apnea and central sleep apnea.
Obstructive Sleep Apnea: This type of sleep apnea occurs when the muscles in the back of your throat, that support the soft palate, relax. When these muscles relax, your airway becomes narrow or can even close when you breathe. Not being able to breathe will start to lower the oxygen in your blood and your brain will rouse you awake so you can breathe properly. These brief awakenings can repeat themselves 5-30 times in one night, making it impossible for you to achieve REM sleep.
Central Sleep Apnea: Although this is less common, it is still important to be aware of. In this type, your brain is failing to send signals to your breathing muscles. You may awake with shortness of breath and will find it hard to fall back asleep or even sleep through the night.
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Dr. Valle’s Treatment
After a patient has been diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnea, has the training and tools to create a treatment plan. The main treatment plan for sleep apnea is using a breathing support machine or a CPAP. We also offer oral appliance therapy for obstructive sleep apnea. The oral appliance is designed to prevent the tongue and other tissues from blocking the throat or the airway. Their main goal is to keep the airway open during sleep which, therefore, prevents your brain from sending rousing signals that wake you up periodically throughout the night. Once you have been diagnosed with sleep apnea, our team will work closely with you to determine what treatment would be best for your specific needs.
Dr. Valle is trained in sleep apnea therapy/treatment and is dedicated to helping you fight this disorder. Getting diagnosed and treated for sleep apnea quickly will greatly help you sleep and will improve the quality of your life. If you relate to any of the symptoms that were listed above please reach out to us at Dr. Brian Valle PA near Severna Park and Millersville, Maryland.