SLEEP APNEA THERAPY
Sleep Apnea Treatment in Winnipeg
Millions of people suffer from the adverse effects of sleep apnea and snoring. If you have ever been told that you snore or struggle to breathe while sleeping, don’t worry, you’re not alone! At Integral Dental in Winnipeg, our goal is to provide you with sleep apnea treatment and help you get the restful sleep you deserve.
What Is Sleep Apnea?
Sleep apnea is considered as sleep breathing disorders. There are two different types of sleep apnea: Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA), and Central Sleep Apnea (CSA).
-
Obstructive Sleep Apnea: This condition indicates that the soft tissue at the back of your throat is collapsing while you sleep, blocking your airway.
-
Central Sleep Apnea: This type of sleep apnea is caused by instability in your respiratory control centre. Essentially, your brain fails to send the signal to your lungs that you need to breathe fully while sleeping.
Most people with sleep apnea snore heavily and then stop breathing. The sleeping person is regularly seen as struggling to breathe yet with no snoring sound. These periods of stopped breathing are often followed by a choking or gasping sound. The patient will partially awaken in order to breathe, prompting to fragmented sleep patterns.
What Are the Dangers of Sleep Apnea?
Doctors estimate that 9.1% of men and 4% of women have sleep apnea in the United States alone. This indicates that generally 1 in every 15 people is found to be having sleep apnea. Not getting enough sleep can affect your personal and professional life, leaving you weak and tired throughout the day. This condition can mean you’re at a higher risk of:
-
Stroke
-
Depression
-
Diabetes
-
Memory and learning problems
-
Heart disease
-
Irregular heartbeat
-
Excessive daytime sleepiness
-
Worsening ADHD
-
High blood pressure (hypertension)
-
Driving and work-related accidents
Do I Have Sleep Apnea?
Sleep apnea can be diagnosed by the number of times you stop or reduce your breathing every hour. Together, these incidents are counted and referred to as the AHI – Apnea-Hypopnea Index. Lack of oxygen and increasing carbon dioxide in the blood stream causes a response (arousal/awakening) so that patients can take a breath. Patients with sleep apnea may go through this process several times per hour at night resulting in unfulfilling sleep. The constant, nightly stress is a significant factor that often leads to other serious medical conditions.
Because sleep disorders have serious health implications and affect your quality of life, we work closely with sleep physicians to determine exactly what sleep disorders we are dealing with. A polysomnogram or overnight sleep study prescribed by a sleep physician is the best way to determine the severity of sleep apnea you may have and determine what treatment options can be considered.
What Treatments Are Available for Sleep Apnea?
Accepted treatments for sleep-related breathing disorders include positive airway pressure (PAP) therapy, oral appliances, various surgical and implant procedures and Positional Therapy (which prevents patients from sleeping on their back instead on their side). At Integral Dental, oral appliances are a common treatment option. An oral appliance slightly advances the lower jaw or tongue, helping to open your airway during sleep. This can reduce snoring while improving your ability to breathe. We understand that everyone’s mouth is different, and oral appliances are customized for each patient.
Schedule Your Appointment Today
At Integral Dental we believe that getting enough sleep is extremely important to your health and quality of life. So, if you’re concerned about your loved ones who are suffering from sleep apnea, give us a call today. We are glad to answer all your questions you have about sleep apnea or our services.
Locations That Offer This Service: