Do you often find yourself waking up in the middle of the night to breathe? You may have a condition called obstructive sleep apnea.
Dr. Ratti Handa offers sleep apnea treatment to patients in Acton, MA. This common dental concern occurs when the airway becomes momentarily blocked and cuts the flow of oxygen off to the vital organs. This happens when the soft tissues in the mouth relax and collapse towards the back of the throat.
In addition, repeatedly closing the airway during sleep may cause breathing and heart problems. However, Dr. Handa is trained in airway disorders and treating sleep apnea patients. She collaborates with patients on an individual basis to tackle problems at the source.
Symptoms of Sleep Apnea
There are several common symptoms of sleep apnea to be aware of:
- Dry mouth
- Irritability
- Difficulty concentrating
- Feeling excessively tired during the day
- Sleeping with an open mouth
- Consistent, loud snoring
- Waking up to breathe
- Headaches that arise in the morning
Call us today at 978.212.3783 if any of these symptoms sound familiar to you. Our Acton, MA dental team is dedicated to finding new modern ways of helping patients receive the treatment they need using high-tech solutions.
Treating Sleep Apnea in Acton
Treating sleep apnea is a part of airway-centered dentistry. Dr. Handa has expertise in treating patients who have any breathing disorders. She will evaluate each patient’s breathing as well as the structure of the jaw and palate in order to get a better picture of treatment.
Dr. Handa provides oral appliance therapy to treat mild to moderate cases of sleep apnea. Similar to a mouth guard, an oral appliance is custom fit to patients and opens up the airways. This prevents the soft tissue in the back of the throat from collapsing.
Sleep Apnea FAQs
Do people with sleep apnea know they wake up?
Most patients with sleep apnea are unaware that they are waking up throughout the night. In most cases a patient’s sleeping partner notices snoring and lapses in breathing between sleep cycles during the night.
What is the life expectancy of someone with sleep apnea?
If sleep apnea is left untreated it can shorten patients lifespan anywhere from 12-15 years. With proper treatment, we can help alleviate the effects of sleep apnea and the length of patients life will not change.
Does caffeine make sleep apnea worse?
Drinking caffeine after 3pm has been shown to affect patients’ sleep and breathing patterns. If you struggle with sleep apnea it is wise to avoid drinking any caffeinated beverages after 3pm so that your body has the ability to sleep and function properly for bed.
What should you not do if you have sleep apnea?
Meats such as steak, pork, bacon and lamb are all high in saturated fats. Overconsumption of these foods can lead to chronic inflammation and, ultimately, heart disease. If you suffer from sleep apnea, you should stay away from these products because they pose a significant risk to increased symptoms.
How long do apneas last?
Doctors consider an apnea to be at least 20 seconds of breathing stoppage. Apneas may last longer than 20 seconds, but 20 seconds signifies a breathing issue that we can diagnose as sleep apnea.
What should you not eat if you have sleep apnea?
Saturated fats found in burgers, steak, bacon, lamb, and sausage may cause inflammation. If you suffer from sleep apnea, you should steer clear of this product because the inflammation can cause sleep apnea symptoms to be worse.
Does sleeping upright help sleep apnea?
In order to prevent your airway from closing, you should sleep on your back, with your body elevated above your heart. This will promote steady airflow.
Does exercise help sleep apnea?
The benefits of regular, moderate exercise extend beyond improving your physical appearance and well overall health; it can also aid in treatment and the prevention of the symptoms of sleep apnea.
What is the root cause of sleep apnea?
When the muscles that support the soft tissues in your throat, such your tongue and soft palate, temporarily relax, obstructive sleep apnea develops. This causes your airway to be restricted or closed when these muscles relax, temporarily stopping breathing.
How long does it take for sleep apnea treatment to work?
CPAP therapy eventually gets rid of the daytime sleepiness and exhaustion connected to obstructive sleep apnea. According to research, after using a CPAP machine for around two weeks, participants began to see results.
How many times do you have to stop breathing to be diagnosed with OSA?
When your breathing is disrupted while you sleep for more than 10 seconds at a time, at least five times each hour, you may have obstructive sleep apnea. This condition causes your breathing to slow down as you aren’t getting enough oxygen. Sleep apnea can be dangerous and life threatening if not treated.
Do you believe that you may be suffering from obstructive sleep apnea? Call Dr. Handa and her professional dental team today at 978.212.3783. You may also request an appointment with Dr. Handa online. Every patient deserves a night of restful sleep. Get on track to improving your health with sleep apnea treatment in our Acton, MA office.