What You Need to Know About Sleep Apnea
If you’ve been told by a sleeping partner that your snoring is out of control and you’re now looking for some fast facts on sleep apnea, the following information about symptoms, risk factors, treatment options, risk factors, and complications should help you get started!
The First Important Fact: You’re Not Alone!
There’s comfort in numbers, and when it comes to sleeping disorders such as obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), you might be comforted to learn that about 18 million Americans also have the condition. And even though the condition is usually more prevalent in individuals over the age of 50, it can affect individuals of all ages.
Another Important Fact: OSA Can be Life-Threatening
Although obstructed sleep is a very common condition, it is not one to be taken lightly. If left untreated, it can lead to life-threatening complications such as heart attack and stroke. It can also have an impact on clear thinking which can translate to an increased risk of car accidents and poor work or school performance.
Lifestyle Changes May Help Alleviate Certain Rick Factors
Because alcohol, smoking, excess body weight, and side sleeping can all have a negative impact on OSA, you may want to consider making lifestyle changes in these areas if you recognize your behavior in any of them. Even small changes can yield big rewards!
New Treatment Method Offers Amazing Relief for Sleeping Disorders in Burlington
In the past, the only real treatments for sleep apnea were either Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) therapy, or surgery to modify a patient’s airway. There are concerns about both. First, CPAP machines can be noisy, cumbersome, unhygienic, and difficult to use when traveling. And surgery is of course very invasive by nature. But new treatment – a Mandibular Repositioning Device (MRD) – is proving an effective new therapy. The MRD is a custom-made oral appliance – very similar to a mouthguard – that is being used to treat mild to moderate OSA. And the best news about this treatment modality? It’s available from dentists like Center for Adult Dental Care who specialize in treating sleeping disorders in Billerica and Burlington.