Getting a good night’s rest is crucial to your overall well-being. Getting the proper amount of sleep every night not only helps to increase your energy levels and prevent daytime grogginess, but it also can boost your immune system, help you maintain a healthy weight, and reduce your risk of developing serious health problems such as diabetes or heart disease.

The benefits of a healthy sleep schedule are plentiful, making losing sleep a cause for concern. One of the major reasons many people have trouble sleeping in Spokane is due to a serious sleep disorder called sleep apnea.

If you are experiencing symptoms in Spokane, WA, and are looking to finally get some restful sleep, we offer the best sleep apnea treatment the dental industry offers. Please call Collins Dentistry & Aesthetics today at (509) 532-1111 to schedule your appointment.

woman sleeping peacefully thanks to a CPAP alternative for sleep apnea treatment

What Is Sleep Apnea?

Sleep apnea is a serious sleep disorder characterized by lapses in breathing – for ten seconds or longer – as you sleep. When you stop breathing in your sleep, your brain wakes you up to resume breathing.

Other than the obvious grogginess, common symptoms include:

  • Choking or gasping while asleep
  • Daytime sleepiness
  • Dry mouth upon waking up
  • Frequent urination
  • Headaches
  • Mood swings/irritability
  • Snoring
  • Trouble concentrating
  • Witnessed apnea episodes

Besides being a major inconvenience, sleep apnea has some major health risks, especially the most common type.

Health Complications of OSA

Obstructive sleep apnea – known as OSA – is the most common type. OSA occurs when your throat muscles relax while sleeping and block your airway, preventing you from breathing properly.

Obstructed breathing is an obvious concern, but leaving OSA untreated in Spokane increases your risk of developing other extremely serious health conditions, such as:

  • Diabetes
  • Heart disease
  • High blood pressure
  • Stroke

You do not want your sleep apnea to lead to further health complications. If you believe you may be suffering, it is time to find the right treatment.

man with sleep apnea rests peacefully in bed thanks to oral appliance therapy

Treatment Options

You don’t have to continue losing sleep and experiencing the various symptoms of sleep apnea. Collins Dentistry & Aesthetics offers numerous treatment methods in the Spokane area:

CPAP

CPAP – short for continuous positive airway pressure – is a treatment that delivers air pressure throughout the night as you sleep. You must wear a mask while you sleep that covers your nose and mouth and is connected to a breathing machine. This air pressure the machine prevents snoring and OSA.

Although CPAP has been considered the gold standard for treatment, it is not your only option. Many patients find wearing a mask uncomfortable. Advancements in treatment have allowed Spokane sleep apnea dentists to treat sleep disorders without patients needing CPAP.

Oral Appliance Therapy

The use of an oral appliance has become increasingly popular – and for good reason.

The purpose of an oral appliance is to keep your throat open as you sleep by holding your jaw in a correct, comfortable position. This allows for proper airflow to prevent snoring and obstructive sleep apnea.

Using an oral appliance removes the need for a bulky mask of a possibly-noisy CPAP machine. Your Spokane dentist will fit you for an oral appliance – custom-made for your mouth. Oral appliance therapy in Spokane, WA, can have you sleeping soundly without needing CPAP treatment.

Sleep Apnea FAQ

A: If left untreated, sleep apnea can lead to other dangerous – and more serious – conditions, such as diabetes, heart disease, or stroke. Also, it can cause excessive daytime sleepiness, which can lead to life-threatening events like falling asleep behind the wheel of a vehicle.

Proper treatment in Spokane can decrease your risk of developing these serious health complications.

A: The first step to receiving a diagnosis in Spokane, WA, is to talk with a sleep apnea dentist about your symptoms. Your dentist will then have you perform a sleep study – which can be offered at a sleep center or be done as an at-home test.

A sleep test will monitor your blood oxygen level, heart rate, and breathing patterns. If abnormalities are observed, a diagnosis is likely, and treatment is the next step.

A: Yes, children can be diagnosed with pediatric sleep apnea. This occurs when a child’s breathing is obstructed or stopped due to the upper airway narrowing or being blocked while they sleep.

The main differences is that the major symptom in adults is daytime drowsiness, whereas in pediatric sleep apnea, it is typically behavioral issues.

The Best Sleep Apnea Treatment in Spokane

If you suffer from sleep apnea and need some relief and rest, Collins Dentistry & Aesthetics of Spokane, WA, are who you can count on for Spokane sleep apnea treatment. You can call us at (509) 532-1111 to schedule an appointment today. You can also make an appointment online. We look forward to treating you to a good night’s sleep!