Sleep Apnea Treatment in Calgary, AB
Sleep apnea is a common sleep disorder that many people deal with. It can become serious and dangerous because the breathing stops and starts. When this happens, the risk of heart attack increases. If someone has a sleep disorder, such as sleep apnea, the risk of heart attack is 23 times more likely. Ninety-two percent of stroke victims live unknowingly with sleep apnea before having a stroke.
Obstructive Sleep Apnea
One type of sleep apnea is obstructive sleep apnea. This happens as a result of the throat muscles relaxing. When this occurs, the airways can narrow or close. Every time you inhale, they may become smaller. This reduces the air that you breathe in, which then lowers your oxygen levels.
If you experience this during the night, your brain will pick up on it, waking you up. When you wake up, you open your airway. You may not notice that this happens because it’s quick.
You might experience these episodes several times throughout the night. They can happen every hour and last for 5 to 30 minutes. When this happens, your body cannot fully rest. You won’t be able to reach all of the phases in the sleep cycle. This can affect you in your everyday life, as you will feel more tired, irritable, and may be unable to focus as a result of poor sleep. You might also deal with diabetes, high blood pressure, hypertension, congestive heart failure, and traffic accidents related to drowsy driving.
If you believe you have sleep apnea, our dentists near you at Sunridge Dental Clinic can help. Our team has experience treating this silent epidemic.
Treatments for Sleep Apnea
There are several types of treatment for snoring and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). Some of the common solutions include surgery, CPAP machines, BiPAP machines, and oral appliance therapy. Oral appliances are a common first step because they are the least invasive. An oral appliance positions the jaw correctly, so the airway remains open when you sleep. This is effective in treating mild to moderate cases. Our dentists will work closely with your sleep physician to give you the most effective treatment.
Call Sunridge Dental Clinic today to learn about sleep apnea treatment near you. Our dentists in Calgary, AB, are happy to help.