Sleep Apnea Treatment – Corpus Christi, TX
The End of Restless Nights
Sleep is one of the primary pillars of good health. Unfortunately, millions of people suffer from a dangerous sleep disorder known as sleep apnea. If you have this condition, you might be wondering how you can put an end to restless nights and start getting the rejuvenating shuteye that your body needs. Our Corpus Christi dental team is here to help. Continue reading below to discover how the innovative Vivos system is often able to provide effective sleep apnea treatment, and then contact us to request a consultation.
Why Choose Sarah Pitarra, DDS for Sleep Apnea Treatment?
- Address the Root Cause of Sleep Apnea
- Avoid the Hassles of a CPAP Machine
- Effective & Non-Invasive Treatment
What Is Sleep Apnea?
There are two types of sleep apnea: obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and central sleep apnea (CSA). Both are characterized by repeated pauses in breathing during sleep. These episodes, known as apneas, disrupt the sleep cycle and can reduce blood oxygen levels. As a result, victims of sleep apnea are left feeling exhausted day after day.
OSA is the most common type of sleep apnea. It occurs when tissues in the upper airway over-relax during sleep, causing them to block the free flow of air. Its symptoms include snoring, feelings of tiredness, morning headaches and sore throats, forgetfulness, slowed reaction times, and more.
CSA can cause similar symptoms, though it is not typically associated with snoring. It occurs when the brain fails to send proper breathing signals during sleep. Some individuals suffer with both CSA and OSA. This is known as mixed or combined sleep apnea.
The Dangers of Sleep Apnea
Initially, sleep apnea may seem like nothing more than an annoyance. The reality is, though, that it can have significant consequences for your health and daily quality of life. For example, there is a strong correlation between untreated sleep apnea and a range of serious health conditions, including heart attack, stroke, type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, and dementia.
Sleep apnea can also compromise your ability to react quickly in dangerous situations, putting you at a heightened risk of being involved in a car accident.
Additionally, this problem may affect your mood, which can have negative consequences for your relationships and overall emotional health. Some people with sleep apnea even exhibit serious signs of depression and anxiety disorders.
Sleep Apnea Treatment Options
A CPAP machine is the most commonly prescribed way to address OSA. However, many patients find their machine to be uncomfortable, noisy, and inconvenient; they may struggle to comply with their treatment.
In our practice, we offer an effective alternative treatment: Vivos. This innovative system uses custom oral appliances to gently widen the palate and/or train the lower jaw to rest in a slightly forward position. These subtle changes can improve airway health and lead to long-lasting improvements in nighttime breathing. Vivos is discreet, non-invasive, and surprisingly comfortable. For some patients, it even completely eliminates the need for other forms of OSA treatment.
Sleep Apnea FAQs
Does snoring automatically mean someone has sleep apnea?
While chronic snoring is one of the most common symptoms of sleep apnea, it does not always mean a person has it. However, snoring still indicates that someone isn’t breathing properly while they sleep, meaning their rest is compromised (in addition to affecting those around them).
Studies show that people who snore are also much more likely to develop sleep apnea in the future compared to those who don’t. That’s why a snoreguard can be so helpful in both the short and long term. It can help an entire household sleep better as well as potentially delay (or even prevent) a serious sleep disorder from starting.
Are snoreguards better than CPAP machines for sleep apnea?
It really depends on the patient! Many people prefer snoreguards and oral appliances to CPAP machines because they are easier to use and more comfortable. But for those with severe sleep apnea, they may not be enough. That’s why after we fit a patient with an appliance, they undergo another sleep study so we can make sure it’s working as intended.
It all comes down to what helps the patient get high quality sleep consistently. Some even benefit from combined therapy, where a mouthpiece is worn at the same time as a CPAP machine (meaning it can be placed on a gentler setting).
How can a dentist treat sleep apnea?
Many people are surprised to learn that a dentist like Dr. Pitarra can treat sleep apnea. While it might sound curious on the surface, the truth is that the physical symptoms of sleep apnea all occur in the mouth and upper airway, or the parts of the body that dentists understand the most. This allows them to make adjustments using oral appliances to open up the airway and prevent blockages throughout the night.
Is sleep apnea fatal?
Sleep apnea by itself is not fatal. But, it increases the risk of potentially fatal conditions. It has been shown to make someone much more likely to experience a cardiac event because the pauses in breathing spike blood pressure for several hours, which can lead to heart attack or stroke.
Dozing off while driving is fairly common—research has shown that driving while sleep-deprived is actually more dangerous than being drunk! Sleep apnea has even been directly connected to a few high-profile train derailments over the years. That’s why our team (and any other healthcare provider) strongly recommends that someone get treatment as soon as possible if they even suspect they have the disorder.