Sleep Apnea Plantation, FL

Do you snore every night? Wake suddenly gasping for air?

If you snore loudly or find yourself waking up repeatedly during the night gasping for air, you may have Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA). This is a serious medical condition that you should address promptly.

Many patients with sleep apnea go undiagnosed for many years prior to seeking treatment. Without treatment, sleep apnea can increase your risk of developing secondary medical complications. Early diagnosis and intervention can be life-saving.

Obstructive Sleep Apnea: What You Should Know

The collapse of soft oral tissues into the airway cause sleep apnea. Soft tissue, usually the tongue, rolls back into the airway making it difficult for the patient to breathe properly while asleep. The blockage causes patients to snore loudly, or wake to gasp for air. Common symptoms include: feeling chronically fatigued, have difficulty focusing, or experience daily morning headaches.

Long-term, sleep apnea can lead to a full range of secondary health complications. Sleep apnea increases a patients risk of having a heart attack, stroke, cardiovascular disease and even sudden death. If you show any signs of sleep apnea, contact our Plantation dental office right away.

Common signs of sleep apnea include:

  • Chronic headaches(especially in the morning)
  • Waking gasping for air
  • Loud snoring
  • Chronic fatigue
  • Depression
  • Trouble concentrating

Obstructive sleep apnea treatment in Plantation Florida

Treating Sleep Apnea in Plantation, FL

Dr. Uttma Dham will coordinate with your regular physician or a sleep specialist to determine the best course of treatment near you. Doctors officially diagnose patients with OSA after a sleep study test. Dr. Uttma Dham offers oral sleep appliance therapy for the treatment of sleep apnea.

Oral sleep appliances are custom and fit comfortably and securely in the patient’s mouth. The appliance shifts the jaw into alignment and prevents the soft oral tissues from collapsing into the airway. With the airway free of obstruction, patients enjoy a night of more sound sleep and wake feeling rested, without headaches.

The oral appliance will be crafted using impressions of your teeth and bite. We will send the impressions to a dental lab to create an appliance that will fit only in your mouth. Once created, you will be fitted with the night guard and given instructions on when and how to wear it. This is a much better alternative to CPAP machines. Patients say they love using the night guard because it’s less bulky and inconvenient compared to the CPAP machine.

If you are over 40, overweight, or have a family history of obstructive sleep apnea, you should seek a screening from a medical professional. If you have recently been diagnosed with OSA, contact our Plantation, FL, dental office to learn more about how an oral sleep appliance can help you sleep better.

Sleep Apnea FAQs

How long do apneas last?

An apnea is a breathing pause lasting at least 20 seconds. Apneas must last at least 20 seconds to become a severe issue.

Why does sleep apnea affect the heart?

People with obstructive sleep apnea have difficulty breathing because of blocked upper airways while they sleep. If patients with OSA leave it untreated it can damage the heart overtime due to excess pressure in the chest.

Does sleep apnea cause early death?

Obstructive sleep apnea is associated with a 30% increased risk of heart attack or early death. Sleep apnea can weaken your heart and makes patients much more likely to suffer from heart disease, or heart attacks.

How do you feel during the day if you have sleep apnea?

People with obstructive sleep apnea frequently experience extreme daytime sleepiness, fatigue, and irritability as a result of their ongoing inability to get sufficient rest during the night. They may have trouble focusing and end up dozing off at the office, while watching the TV, or even behind the wheel of a motor vehicle.

Can an Apple Watch detect sleep apnea?

Although the Apple Watch can detect some characteristics like heart rate and blood oxygen saturation that may indicate sleep apnea, it cannot detect or diagnose sleep apnea on its own. Only a professional can diagnose sleep apnea.

What is the best position to sleep with sleep apnea?

If you suffer from sleep apnea, we recommend sleeping on your side with your back relatively straight. Additionally, sleeping on your left side can be even more effective than your right for reducing sleep apnea.

What problems can sleep apnea cause?

Sleep apnea has been linked to a variety of serious health issues, including high blood pressure, stroke, irregular heartbeats, cardiomyopathy (cardiac muscle hypertrophy), heart failure, diabetes, obesity, and heart attacks without treatment.

Does sleep apnea raise blood pressure?

Stress hormones release when breathing stops occur during sleep. According to the American Heart Association, obstructive sleep apnea increases your risk of hypertension, stroke, and heart disease because of the hormones that apneas produce.

We are Accepting New Patients

Westside Dental Center is a modern and welcoming dentist office near you in Plantation, FL. We invite patients from communities in and around Fort Lauderdale, Coral Springs, Sunrise, and Davie to visit us at our patient-focused, welcoming dental care practice.

To learn how comprehensive dentistry can help improve your smile, contact us at (954) 251-0640, or request a consultation online today.