Sleep Apnea Treatment in Chagrin Falls, OH
Do you find yourself dozing off during the day or waking with a sore throat and a headache? Are you having difficulty concentrating or find yourself suddenly moody? Does your partner complain about your snoring? You may need to be evaluated for sleep apnea.
Sleep apnea is a serious medical concern. This condition actually causes you to stop breathing while you are sleeping. Your brain then signals your body to rouse slightly so that you can resume breathing, leading to broken sleep and a number of other negative health effects.
The Effects of Sleep Apnea
For people who suffer from sleep apnea, life can quickly become miserable. Not only do you feel fatigued throughout the day, but your performance at work may suffer as well. Driving may become dangerous since you are prone to falling asleep throughout the day. A few of the classic signs of sleep apnea are loud snoring, cessation of breathing, and waking up gasping for air during sleep.
Internally, dangerous changes are taking place as well. High blood pressure is a common result of sleep apnea, which leads directly to an increased risk of a heart attack or stroke. Since obesity is often a risk factor for developing obstructive sleep apnea, these people may be doubly affected.
Treating Obstructive Sleep Apnea in the 44022 Area
The first-line treatment for most sleep apnea patients is continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy. This therapy involves wearing a mask while you sleep, which is connected to a machine that blows air into your nose and mouth constantly to keep your airway open so you don’t stop breathing. This therapy is often quite effective.
So what does a dentist have to do with treating sleep apnea?
Unfortunately, while CPAP therapy is very effective in treating sleep apnea, compliance can be a problem. About 50% of people with sleep apnea are unable to tolerate therapy with CPAP. They may not be able to sleep comfortably with the mask over their face, or the noise from the machine may disturb them or their partner. Whatever the reason, another form of therapy can help these patients rest easy and get their lives back.
Dr. Hivick has spent considerable time learning the role that a dentist can play in helping to treat obstructive sleep apnea. If you have failed CPAP therapy or have no desire to try it, you may be a candidate for an oral appliance that repositions the lower jaw to increase your airway.
With oral appliance therapy, patients can reduce the severity of obstructive sleep apnea and improve their quality of life. At Chagrin Family Dental, we have a number of devices we recommend including the Myerson EMA appliance, the TAP appliance, and appliances from Somnodent. Your appliance will be perfectly customized to fit your mouth and meet your individual and unique needs.
If you have been diagnosed with sleep apnea or if you suspect that you might have sleep apnea, give Chagrin Family Dental a call today. Dr. Hivick will work with your medical provider to get you properly diagnosed and recommend an appropriate appliance to help you get the quality rest you need and deserve.
Frequently Asked Questions
One of the most common sleep apnea treatments is continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy. With this therapy, a mask is worn over your nose during sleep. The mask provides continuous airflow into the nose and mouth to keep the airway open.
While this sleep disorder therapy is effective, some patients have a hard time sleeping with a mask on. The machine can make noise which could disturb the patient or their partner. Many people don't use CPAP even when prescribed. The transition to wearing a nasal air mask can be difficult for people, especially if the mask is not a good fit or the settings are too high.
What Are My Best Alternatives to CPAP Therapy?
Dr. Hivick at Chagrin Family Dental Care understands that CPAP therapy may not be effective for everyone. If you find it difficult to sleep with a CPAP, or if your partner is disturbed by the noise from the machine—you may be interested in an oral device that keeps your airway free by repositioning your lower jaw.
Some of the oral appliance therapy devices we use in our Chagrin Falls, OH dental office, include the Myerson EMA appliance, the TAP appliance, and appliances from SomnoDent. We know that your sleep is essential to you, and comfort is crucial in order to relax.
Please Call Our Chagrin Falls Dental Office
If you have been diagnosed with sleep apnea but have a hard time adjusting to CPAP therapy, give Chagrin Family Dental, located in Chagrin Falls, a call today. Dr. Hivick will work hard to provide you with the good night's sleep you deserve.
A good night's rest is crucial for a successful next day. People with sleep disorders, like sleep apnea, may have a hard time sleeping through the night. There are popular sleep disorder treatments available; it's essential to determine which one is the most effective for your lifestyle.
While continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy is considered very effective in treating sleep apnea, many patients have a hard time adjusting to it. As many as half of the patients prescribed CPAP stop using it.
If you have sleep apnea but have a hard time transitioning to CPAP, Dr. Hivick may be able to provide alternative sleep treatments. An oral appliance, for example, is an effective option to CPAP for treating mild to moderate sleep apnea. An oral appliance may be the perfect solution for ending your snoring, managing sleep apnea, and improving sleep quality.
Finding the Right Oral Appliance in Chagrin Falls
At Chagrin Family Dental Care, we can help you find the perfect oral appliance for you. We offer many effective brands, including the Myerson EMA appliance, the TAP appliance, and appliances from Somnodent. Dr. Hivick will fit the device to you to make sure that it meets the shape of your mouth.
If you are having a hard time with your CPAP and would like to learn more about effective alternatives, give our Chagrin Falls, OH, dental office a call to find out more information.
Do you feel consistently tired even after a full night's rest, or do you have a partner that complains about your snoring? If so, you may have a serious condition called sleep apnea. If you are interested in learning more about sleep apnea, contact Chagrin Family Dental Care today.
How Serious Can Snoring Be?
Snoring can be more than just a nightly annoyance for your partner—it keeps you (and them) from quality rest. Did you know that more than 90 million Americans snore every night, and obstructive sleep apnea causes about half of our snoring? Not everyone who snores has sleep apnea, while those with the sleep disorder almost always snore.
Sleep apnea occurs when your breathing is obstructed, waking you up in the middle of your sleep. Regular snoring doesn't always wake the snorer up and is more of a hindrance to sleep mates than to your health.
How Does Sleep Apnea Snoring Look Like?
What's the difference between regular snoring and sleep apnea? You can pay attention to some tell-tale signs of sleep apnea: waking up during sleep choking or gasping for breath, drowsiness, and fatigue throughout the day, and sleeping open-mouthed. People with sleep apnea tend to be louder snorers and do so almost nightly.
If you think your partner has sleep apnea, pay attention to their breathing. Do you sometimes notice that they hold their breath, or stop breathing? If you pay attention, you'll hear them gasp for air or even make a choking sound. They may not wake up directly, but their sleep is interrupted and disturbed.
Not all snoring is related to sleep disorders; there are other reasons why you're snoring, including:
- Age
- Health and weight
- Sinus congestion
- Alcohol
- Smoking
- Medication
- Sleeping on your back
Please Contact Our Chagrin Falls Office
If you snore and notice that your day-to-day life is affected by lack of sleep, call your Chagrin Falls, OH dentist to be evaluated for sleep apnea.
Meet Our Doctor:
Brian M. Hivick DDS
Dr. Brian Hivick graduated from Marquette University School of Dentistry in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, after studying Pharmaceutical Sciences at the University of Toledo for his undergraduate education. He then continued his studies at Summa Health System’s Akron City Hospital, where he completed a rigorous general practice residency program – including training in implant placement and restoration, cosmetic dentistry, oral surgery, and endodontics. Upon completion of the program, he received top honors as an Outstanding Resident in periodontal therapy and endodontics.
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