Sleep Apnea?

You may or may not have heard of sleep apnea. It’s a condition in which you stop breathing for a period and then restart during sleep. The most apparent diagnostic symptoms are loud snoring and exhaustion during the day.

Dangers of Untreated Apnea

Left undiagnosed and untreated, sleep apnea can lead to daytime fatigue that is dangerous when driving or at work. During episodes of apnea, the oxygen levels in the bloodstream drop. This can lead to high blood pressure, abnormal heart rhythms, heart attack, stroke, type 2 diabetes, and other medical complications.

Positive airway pressure devices are the most-prescribed treatments, but have a low compliance rate. They can be difficult to tolerate without persistence.

Dr. Hugh Can Help

In many cases an oral appliance, customized by your dentist, can treat sleep apnea. At Dr. Hugh’s Dental PC, Dr. Hugh can screen for signs of sleep apnea based on your symptoms and an examination of your mouth and throat.

If you have apnea and are a candidate for a sleep apnea dental appliance, Dr. Hugh will determine whether you would respond better to a jaw-advancing or tongue-retaining device. These are both used to keep the airway unobstructed during sleep.