What is sleep medicine?

Sleep medicine is a branch of study that focuses on the evaluation, diagnosis, and treatment of a variety of sleep disorders. Sleep is critical to our health and well-being, and when patients are struggling with their quality of sleep, it can impact their daily lives. Patients may be having trouble falling asleep or staying asleep through the night. Others may wake up feeling groggy throughout the day. Some patients may even feel fatigued all day long, making them unable to focus or even complete basic tasks. When chronic sleep deprivation becomes a persistent problem, it can cause significant mental and physical health issues. This is where the help of a sleep specialist can be beneficial.View image source on Google.

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Sleep deprivation can be caused by a number of factors. For example, stress can lead to sleeplessness, as can certain medications. Anxiety can keep people awake at night as it keeps them worrying. Lack of exercise can also lead to poor sleep habits. Many patients with sleep apnea experience fatigue during the day because they are constantly waking up throughout the night due to airflow blockage. These conditions can all be treated with the help of a sleep physician. The doctor will evaluate the patient’s sleeping habits and medical history in order to identify the root of the problem. Then, they can recommend the best treatment for each patient. This may include medication, therapy, lifestyle changes, and more. In some cases, surgery may be required. View image source on Google.

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It’s important that patients seek care when they are experiencing issues with their sleep. After all, during sleep, our bodies are hard at work repairing

What is sleep apnea?

Sleep apnea is when a person’s breathing becomes interrupted during sleep due to a physical abnormality of their throat or their airway becoming blocked. The most common form of sleep apnea, obstructive sleep apnea, is caused by an obstruction in the airway. The muscles in the back of the throat relax and collapse into the airway and block the flow of air that is supposed to pass through it. This causes the breaks in breathing, and in turn causes a person to wake up briefly in order to breathe properly again. This can happen dozens of times during the night. There are three types of obstructive sleep apnea: central, obstructive, and complex. Central sleep apnea occurs when the brain fails to send the proper signals to the muscles that control breathing; the brain may simply not send the signal to breathe, or be sending a signal to inhale when no breath is needed. Obstructive sleep apnea is the most commonly diagnosed form of the disease, and it is caused by an obstruction of the airways physically blocking the flow of air into your lungs. Complex sleep apnea is a combination of central and obstructive sleep apneas, and it occurs when both conditions are present in tandem. Other forms of the disease include sleep-related hypoventilation syndrome and snoring.

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How is sleep apnea diagnosed?

Dentists diagnose obstructive sleep apnea by observing the patient’s symptoms, assessing their throat and nose structure, and reviewing the results of sleep study tests. A dentist can prescribe a custom-made oral appliance for patients to use at home while sleeping to address the effects of sleep apnea.

What are the treatments for sleep apnea?

There are a variety of treatment options available for sleep apnea. These options range from lifestyle changes and oral appliances to surgery or CPAP machines. Treatment plans are highly individualized based on sleep study results, patient preference, and lifestyle.

Many people with mild cases of obstructive sleep apnea may be able to use an oral appliance alone. This treatment option is also popular among patients who cannot tolerate CPAP therapy. Oral appliance therapy involves using a special mouth guard to hold your jaw in proper alignment while you sleep. This may reduce or even eliminate snoring caused by obstructed breathing.

To learn more about available treatment solutions and other ways to improve your sleep and health please contact the dental office of Dr. Gary Alhadef at [phone] today to schedule an appointment. We’re conveniently located in the Galleria area in Houston, Texas.

-Dr. Gary Alhadef DDS MAGD FICOI & Kristen Alhadef DDS FICOI3205 Kirby Dr Ste AHouston, TX 77098-7033(713) 766-6565 [email protected]www.smilesbyalhade.com[googleplusone style=”default” float=”none” addtoany]4.7/5(206 Reviews) On Facebook

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