Sleep Apnea Treatment in Emeryville, CA

Snoring is a common issue, but it may signal an underlying condition that can pose serious health risks. Sleep apnea, a sleep disorder that can cause snoring, is a concerning sleep disorder that can impact your overall health. Unlike ordinary snoring, sleep apnea significantly increases the risk of heart problems, respiratory difficulties, and high blood pressure. In the United States, about 30 million people have some form of sleep apnea, but only around 6 million are diagnosed! A CPAP machine is a common treatment for those diagnosed with the condition. The machine delivers a steady stream of air through a mask, keeping your airways open during sleep and reducing interruptions in breathing. However, many people struggle with CPAP devices as the mask can be uncomfortable to wear. Oral appliance therapy is an alternative sleep apnea treatment that can help individuals get better sleep.

If you have sleep apnea or think you might, we encourage you to visit San Fransico East Bay Mini Dental Implants for guidance.

What Is Sleep Apnea?

Sleep apnea is a sleep-related breathing disorder characterized by pauses in breathing. It can impact your quality of life by causing repeatedly disrupted sleep.

We classify sleep apnea into three types. The most common, obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), happens when the muscles in the head and neck relax and block the airway. Central sleep apnea (CSA) occurs when the brain doesn’t send the right signals to the breathing muscles. The third type, complex sleep apnea, is a mix of both obstructive and central sleep apnea.

No matter what form of sleep apnea you have, the lack of oxygen forces you to wake up so you can breathe again. This process may be repeated hundreds of times throughout the night, seriously disrupting your sleep. Although this natural response is life-saving, the constant sleep disruption often prevents you from truly resting. A lack of rest can stop your body from functioning as it’s meant to.

Who Suffers From Sleep Apnea?

There are many risk factors that make someone more prone to developing sleep apnea.

Those more likely to suffer from obstructive sleep apnea are:

• Older adults, especially men
• People who are overweight or obese
• Those of Black, Hispanic, or Asian descent
• Those with a family history of sleep apnea
• Smokers
• People who consume alcohol before bedtime
• Those with certain anatomical features or medical conditions

People more likely to develop central sleep apnea are:

• Those over 65, especially men
• People taking opioids
• Those with certain heart conditions or neurological disorders
• People living at high altitudes

What Are the Signs of Sleep Apnea?

If you feel you may suffer from sleep apnea, watch out for these common symptoms:

• Loud and persistent snoring: Snoring is an incredibly common symptom for people with sleep apnea. While regular snoring is usually rhythmic and steady, sleep apnea snores are often interrupted by gasps or snorting sounds.
• Waking up frequently: Waking up frequently is a common symptom of sleep apnea, as pauses in breathing can interrupt your sleep cycle, often without you realizing it.
• Fatigue: If you think you slept through the night but still wake up exhausted, you may have sleep apnea. Frequent pauses in sleep prevent you from truly getting the rest you need, causing excess fatigue throughout the day.
• Mood changes: Due to the lack of restful sleep, people with sleep apnea are more prone to developing mood disorders like anxiety or depression.
• Cognitive impairments: Some people with sleep apnea may experience trouble concentrating or memory loss due to an excessive lack of oxygen and sleep.
• Headaches: If you frequently experience headaches right after waking up, it may be a result of sleep apnea.

Oral Appliance Therapy vs. CPAP

A CPAP (Continuous Positive Airway Pressure) machine is one of the most common sleep apnea treatments. This machine uses a mask that covers your nose or mouth, steadily pushing pressurized air through your windpipe. While this mask is effective for treating moderate to severe sleep apnea, many find it difficult to wear. Those who have claustrophobia particularly struggle to keep the mask on. Instead of helping you sleep through the night, a CPAP machine can keep you up!

At San Fransisco East Bay Mini Dental Implants, Dr. Magno offers sleep apnea treatment with oral appliance therapy as an alternative to CPAP!

Dr. Magno will create a custom-fit oral appliance, similar to a mouthguard, to keep your airway open while you sleep. This appliance keeps your airways unobstructed, allowing for easy airflow and a restful night’s sleep.

The major benefit of oral appliance therapy for treating sleep apnea compared to a CPAP is that the appliance is much sleeker, more comfortable, and silent. For those with mild to moderate sleep apnea or who cannot sleep with a CPAP machine, an oral appliance might be the right choice!

Sleep Through the Night With Oral Appliance Therapy!

If you struggle to sleep through the night, visit San Francisco East Bay Mini Dental Implants for quality care that you can trust! For 25 years, Dr. Magno has been helping patients like you get the treatment they need! For mild to moderate sleep apnea, an oral appliance could be the solution you’ve been searching for. Contact us today and take the first step toward restful, rejuvenating sleep!

Frequently Asked Questions