If you have difficulty sleeping, problems with snoring, or frequent morning headaches, you might be suffering from obstructive sleep apnea. This is a serious medical issue that can decrease your energy levels and cause you to develop cardiovascular issues. At Dr. Wendy Willoughby, DDS in Asheville, North Carolina, we can use easy, non-invasive methods to diagnose and treat this issue.
Obstructive Sleep Apnea Test
Obstructive sleep apnea is a medical condition that develops when muscles in your throat relax during the night and prevent you from breathing normally. Talking about your symptoms with a medical professional is an essential part of an obstructive sleep apnea test.
Further, we can perform a physical examination of your mouth, nose, and throat to determine whether you could benefit from wearing a customized oral appliance during the night. In addition to receiving an examination, you might need to go through a sleep study under the supervision of a medical professional who specializes in this issue.
During this type of study, medical equipment will analyze the behavior of your heart, lungs, and brain while you are sleeping. This test will provide more information about the severity of your condition and allow your medical team to determine suitable treatment options for you.
How Can I Treat This Breathing Issue?
Oral appliance therapy is a great way to treat your breathing issues. We will provide you with a customized oral appliance to wear while you are sleeping. This appliance will feel similar to a retainer or a mouthguard that is used in sports. Wearing this device at night will open your airways by altering the position of your tongue or jaw.
Am I a Good Candidate for Oral Appliance Therapy?
Since oral appliance therapy is a non-invasive, gentle way to address this medical condition, you are likely to benefit from using a customized appliance to improve your breathing. That said, we must assess the condition of your jaw, teeth, and mouth to determine whether this treatment is the right solution for you.
Examining your mouth and jaw will also allow us to provide you with a customized appliance that is modeled after your own teeth. Since this device will be personalized, you will feel comfortable when you wear your appliance at night.
How Will Oral Appliance Therapy Improve My Life?
Obstructive sleep apnea can cause you to feel tired and irritable throughout the day. Further, if you do not treat this condition in a timely fashion, you can develop blood pressure issues, vision changes, and heart failure. Wearing a customized appliance will allow you to feel more alert and rested during the day. Further, you’ll lower your risk of developing heart issues and other serious conditions.
Improve Your Sleep
You shouldn’t ignore loud snoring, interrupted rest, and other sleeping issues. These problems may be warning signs that obstructive sleep apnea is causing you to have difficulty breathing while you are sleeping. Receiving an evaluation from a medical professional will allow you to diagnose this health problem and begin improving the quality of your sleep.
