Sleep Apnea Treatment Alexandria

What is Sleep Apnea?

Sleep apnea refers to a condition that causes patients to stop breathing while sleeping. The most common form of sleep apnea, known as obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), occurs due to a blockage of the air passageways during sleep. This typically occurs when excess tissue at the back of the throat or the tongue falls across and obstructs the airway. The sudden lack of oxygen will typically cause the patient to wake up, gasping for air. Usually, patients fall back to sleep so quickly that they do not remember being awakened during the night, though these incidents can happen hundreds of times.

Signs & Symptoms of Sleep Apnea

Understanding the impact of sleep apnea on your overall health and recognizing the common symptoms is important when seeking treatment. There are numerous symptoms of sleep apnea, or OSA, and it’s important to remember that not everyone will experience the same symptoms, which might include:

• Snoring: Snoring is a sign that your airway is obstructed, meaning you’re not getting the proper oxygen you need throughout the night.
• Fatigue: If you feel tired and groggy during the day, you may not be getting the rest you need at night. When sleep apnea is present, the body wakes itself up many times during the night when breathing is totally obstructed. You may not remember these instances—but your body does. You’ll feel the effects of constant interruptions during sleep in the form of fatigue.
• Headaches: Some patients will experience headaches in the morning if they have sleep apnea. These headaches are usually the result of decreased oxygen to the brain, which can cause you to experience a headache that ranges from mild to severe.
• Mental Health Symptoms: Research has shown a link between mental illness and sleep disorders: people who suffer from sleep disorders and related sleep disruption are more likely to develop anxiety, depression, mood swings, and cognitive impairment. Poor and frequently interrupted sleep can also lead to certain hormonal and chemical imbalances in the brain and body.
• Dry Mouth: People who snore tend to breathe through their mouths at night, making their mouths extremely dry the next day. Dry mouth isn’t just uncomfortable—it’s also damaging to your oral health. Having a dry mouth upsets the balance of bacteria in your oral cavity, making it more likely that you’ll develop decay and/or gum disease.

The Dangers of Untreated Sleep Apnea

Ignoring your symptoms of sleep apnea is never a good idea, as the disorder can be life-threatening when left untreated. In addition to causing chronic fatigue and the resulting symptoms, sleep apnea also puts you at risk for high blood pressure, heart disease, and stroke, all due to decreased oxygen levels in the blood. Additionally, OSA can lead to an irregular heartbeat and put patients at a higher risk for complications after medical procedures. People who have sleep apnea tend to lose concentration easily and may be more prone to motor vehicle and workplace accidents due to their fatigue.

How We Treat Sleep Apnea

Dr. Mazhari is proud to offer MicrO2 Sleep and Snore oral appliances from Prosomnus. Oral appliance treatment can be an effective solution for mild to moderate obstructive sleep apnea as it gently opens the airway, allowing patients to get a healthy and restful night’s sleep. MicrO2 custom-made oral appliances fit much like a sports mouth guard, and can provide a more convenient and comfortable alternative to the traditional CPAP machine. Patients can speak clearly and drink normally while wearing their MicrO2 appliance. 

Another popular option available to patients with mild sleep apnea or those who can't tolerate CPAP is using Micro2 with CPAP, which allows more oxygen to be delivered into the lungs while the machine is on a lower setting. This approach needs to be approved by a sleep specialist.