Sleep Apnea Therapy for Freedom, WI

Breathe easier with sleep apnea relief from Dental Expressions.

If you snore, wake up feeling tired even after a full night’s sleep, or if your partner has noticed you tossing and turning, you deserve better rest. You may be suffering from sleep disordered breathing (SDB) that manifests as sleep apnea -- and Dr. Robert Heil is uniquely qualified to diagnose and treat sleep apnea. Keep reading to learn more about the risk factors, diagnosis and treatment of sleep apnea

Sleep Disordered Breathing: An Overview

A person suffering from sleep disordered breathing manifesting as sleep apnea stops breathing repeatedly throughout the night. There are three main types of sleep apnea: obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), central sleep apnea (CSA), and mixed sleep apnea (MSA). OSA is the most common form of the condition, caused by a partial or complete blockage of airway during sleep. CSA occurs from a breakdown of communication between the brain and the muscles that control breath. MSA is a combination of the two.

People with sleep apnea may have their sleep interrupted hundreds of times in one night. The brain, deprived of oxygen, sends an emergency signal to wake the body up. The sufferer will jerk awake to resume breathing -- something that they may not remember the next day. The sleeping partner is usually the person to recognize a problem.

Risk Factor for Sleep Disordered Breathing

Your dentist is highly qualified to diagnose sleep apnea. In fact, studies show that dentists with knowledge of SDB are as likely as a physician to recognize a patient who may have a sleep disorder. While patients of all ages can experience sleep disordered breathing, certain risk factors increase the prevalence of sleep apnea. These include…

The shape of the airway: A long, sloping soft palate, or an enlarged, swollen, or elongated uvula.
Extraoral symptoms: Chapped lips or cracking at the corners of the mouth, difficulty keeping the mouth closed, long face shape.
The nasal airway: Small nostrils or collapsed alar rims (the part above your nostril).
Head and neck posture: Forward head posture, loss of spinal curve, or poor positioning of the head.

Do not wait to seek a diagnosis and treatment for sleep apnea. Left untreated, the condition results in considerable oxygen loss for the brain over time. Sleep apnea has been linked to heart attack, stroke, high blood pressure, and even premature death.

Diagnosing Sleep Apnea

Because the symptoms of sleep apnea are similar to those of other conditions affecting sleep, it may remain mis- or undiagnosed for years. Do you suspect you or a loved one are suffering from SDB? Answer these five questions to help identify a sleep disorder.

Do you have difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep?
Do you snore?
Are you frequently tired during the day?
Are you aware or have you been told that you stop breathing during sleep?
Do you wake feeling tired, even after a full night’s sleep?

If you answer yes to even one of these questions, please continue by taking the Epworth Sleepiness Scale and the STOP-BANG survey. Download, print out, and fill in the tests. Bring them with you to Dental Expressions for your sleep apnea consultation. Having this information will help your doctor make a proper diagnosis.

Sleep Apnea Treatment

Treatment for obstructive sleep apnea may come in the form of CPAP, or continuous positive airway pressure, therapy. It’s a machine that pushes air into the oral cavity to keep the airway open during sleep. Patients who do not find relief with the CPAP often benefit from a removable oral appliance, a small device that holds the tongue and lower jaw in place during sleep. Some people benefit from combined therapy, using a CPAP and a removable oral appliance.

Please contact Dental Expressions to discuss your sleep apnea diagnosis and treatment. Dr. Robert Heil is highly experienced in the treatment of sleep disordered breathing, and can help you overcome sleep apnea with effective therapy. Because you deserve a full night of uninterrupted sleep, every single night!