Miami and Coral Gables, Florida
What is sleep apnea?
Sleep apnea is a condition occurring when your throat collapses while you sleep, blocking your airway. As a result, you experience brief pauses in breathing which may happen hundreds of times a night. Your brain will rouse you from sleep so that you can resume breathing. A common symptom of sleep apnea is snoring.
My sleep apnea is not bothering me. Is treatment really necessary?
Yes. If untreated, sleep apnea can lead to life-threatening health problems such as:
- High blood pressure
- Cardiovascular disease
- Stroke
- Memory problems
- Weight gain
- Impotency
- Headaches
- Daytime fatigue
What causes sleep apnea?
There can be many reasons why you suffer from obstructive sleep apnea, including:
- Being overweight
- Large tongue and/or tonsils
- Small airway due to the shape of your head and neck
Am I at risk for sleep apnea?
Almost anyone can develop sleep apnea. Approximately 15 million Americans currently suffer from the condition. However, it generally affects men more than women. Risk factors include obesity, high blood pressure, and loud snoring. Certain studies have also indicated that sleep apnea may be hereditary.
How is sleep apnea diagnosed?
The best way to conclusively determine whether you suffer from sleep apnea is by participating in a diagnostic sleep study conducted by a certified sleep apnea dentist. Miami sleep apnea dentists Dr. Raul Garcia and Dr. Conchi Sanchez-Garcia are members of the American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM) and the American Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine (AADSM), and they can perform all of the necessary diagnostic tests for you.
How do you treat sleep apnea?
While there are a variety of sleep apnea treatments, our Miami sleep apnea dentists generally recommend using mandibular repositioning appliances and tongue-retaining devices. These appliances are custom made to fit your teeth and mouth so it will be comfortable and healthy.
We find that our patients tolerate sleep apnea appliances much better than CPAP.
To learn more, please contact our Miami sleep apnea dentists today to schedule your initial appointment and visit our sleep apnea site. Miami Designer Smiles serves patients in the Miami and Coral Gables, Florida area.