Can’t seem to get a good night’s sleep? There’s a chance you might suffer from sleep apnea.
Sleep apnea, characterized by breathing that repeatedly stops and starts, affects about 22 million Americans according to the American Sleep Apnea Association. There are multiple forms of sleep apnea including Central Sleep Apnea, Complex Sleep Apnea and the most common, Obstructive Sleep Apnea.
Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) is irregular breathing caused by a blockage of the airways during sleep. Some common warning signs of OSA include snoring, excessive tiredness, fatigue and high blood pressure. OSA is important to address because it can lead to increased risk of heart disease, type 2 diabetes, stroke, depression and other health problems.
If you suspect you may suffer from Obstructive Sleep Apnea, talk to Jackson Dental about Oral Appliance Therapy. Our corrective device, developed in collaboration with sleep doctors, helps treat OSA by positioning the lower jaw forward during sleep for increased oxygen flow. For best results, Oral Appliance Therapy should be worn nightly and adjusted at three-week intervals until the ideal lower jaw position is achieved.
For milder cases of Obstructive Sleep Apnea, lifestyle changes may work to improve sleep and alleviate the breathing disorder. Exercising regularly, losing weight, quitting smoking, limiting alcohol intake and avoiding sleeping on one’s back are examples of lifestyle changes that could improve OSA.
If you suffer from sleep apnea and desire quality sleep, call Jackson Dental today to ask about their Oral Appliance Therapy at 573-243-5200.