Sleep disorder clinic in Maine offers a solution for snoring

A good night’s sleep is important. Getting enough sleep is integral to overall health, can lower stress, and can allow you to be more effective during the day. Many people are going through their day without the sleep they need, and in some cases, the reason can be because of a disorder such as sleep apnea.

Sleep apnea is a condition in which the patient experiences recurrent pauses in breathing. These apneic episodes can last for 10 or more seconds at a time before normal breathing resumes. Apneic episodes can occur upwards of 40-50 times per hour.

Many patients with sleep apnea are unaware they have the condition. In fact, many partners of patients with sleep apnea are the first to notice due to loud, disruptive snoring. Patients with sleep apnea rarely fully waken during the night, typically they wake just enough to be able to breathe again before falling back asleep. This can be highly disturbing to a good night’s sleep.

Sleep apnea is a serious condition that can put patients at an increased risk for medical conditions such as heart disease. Some of the most common symptoms of sleep apnea include:

•        Daytime sleepiness
•        Headaches
•        Irritability
•        High blood pressure
•        Obesity

Your dentist’s sleep disorder clinic offers a solution for snoring

One way to treat sleep apnea is with CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure) machine. The problem is, CPAP machines can be uncomfortable for many patients, which makes compliance low. So, how can your dentist help? Oral appliance therapy has been proven effective to treat sleep apnea. By properly positioning the lower jaw, these devices keep the tongue away from the back of the throat and reduce obstruction for better breathing.

Are you ready for a good night’s sleep again? If you are in the Skowhegan, Maine area, call Drs. Imam and Khan today to learn about oral appliance therapy.

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