- Posted on: Feb 25 2015
Sleep apnea is a potentially deadly medical condition in which your breathing is repeatedly interrupted during sleep. When your airway is obstructed, the resulting oxygen deprivation and carbon dioxide buildup cause your brain to rouse you from sleep. This can happen many times in the night and take its toll over time if left untreated. The Grand Rapids dentists at A Life of Smiles understand sleep apnea and offer innovative treatments to restore your sleep and improve your health.
Untreated sleep apnea can lead to many seemingly unrelated health conditions, including
- Heart attack
- High blood pressure
- Stroke
- Depression
- Death
Although loud snoring is the most common sign that you may suffer from sleep apnea, other symptoms can also indicate the condition:
- Gastric reflux (heartburn)
- Dry mouth or sore throat
- Weight gain
- Daytime fatigue
- Headaches
And, of course, the partner of a sleep apnea sufferer may be chronically sleep-deprived as well.
CPAP Alternatives
If we suspect sleep apnea, we may recommend that you undergo a sleep study to positively diagnose your condition. The gold standard treatment for sleep apnea is nighttime use of a CPAP (Continuous Positive Airway Pressure) machine. But because it’s estimated that nearly 70 percent of patients stop using their CPAP machines, we offer custom-built mouthpiece alternatives that our patients often prefer.
If you or a loved one is showing the signs of sleep apnea, Dr. Jerry Mulder, Jr., and Dr. Allyson Mulder can help restore your sleep. Please contact A Life of Smiles today to schedule an appointment. Our offices are conveniently located in Grand Rapids, Michigan.
Published by: Grand Rapids Dentistry Blog – A Life of Smiles
A Grand Rapids, Michigan based cosmetic, general & sedation dentistry
Tagged with: Continuous Positive Airway Pressure, CPAP Alternatives, CPAP Machine, Health, Sleep Apnea, Snoring
Posted in: Featured Posts