Do you toss and turn throughout the night? Do you wake up feeling tired, fatigued, and irritable? Does your partner complain about your chronic snoring? Dr. Kenneth Tripp may be able to help. Restless sleep, fatigue, or habitual snoring may indicate that you have a more serious medical condition known as sleep apnea.
What is sleep apnea?
Obstructive sleep apnea, the most commonly diagnosed form of sleep apnea, is a medical condition that prevents deep sleep. An "apnea" occurs when airflow to the brain is suspended for at least ten seconds. After ten seconds, the brain tells the body to wake up and breathe. You may fully awaken and gasp for breath or continue to snore in a lighter stage of sleep. Causes of obstructive sleep apnea include narrow, swollen, or blocked air passages, as well as tongue and jaw position.
Why should I be concerned?
Many people think their snoring and fatigue are normal, so they never seek treatment. Lack of proper sleep can cause a variety of problems, and sleep apnea has even been linked to an increased risk of heart attack and stroke. Recent studies show that people with sleep apnea are 30 percent more likely to die prematurely. Another study found that frequent apneas damage the part of your brain responsible for storing memories. Other concerns include lack of concentration and dozing off while driving.
How does Dr. Tripp treat snoring and sleep apnea?
In the past, obstructive sleep apnea was treated with CPAP, a noisy and cumbersome machine that many patents won't tolerate. For more effective and comfortable treatment, Dr. Tripp recommends conservative oral appliance therapy. An oral appliance is a mouthpiece that's similar to a retainer or athletic mouthguard. Dr. Tripp will work closely with a specialized laboratory to custom design an oral appliance that forms to the contours of your mouth. A sleep apnea appliance works by:
Repositioning the jaw, tongue, and palate
Stabilizing the lower mandible
Increasing the tongue's muscle tone
By removing obstructions from the airway, oral appliances also stop habitual snoring. Talk to Dr. Tripp if you snore or gasp for breath at night. He may be able give you the restful sleep you need with a simple, non-surgical, oral appliance for sleep apnea.
