Beaufort, Bluffton, and Hilton Head SC
Sleep apnea is a serious sleep-breathing disorder that results in decreased or blocked airflow while sleeping. Lack of oxygen disrupts sleep, resulting in chronic fatigue, and poses significant health risks, according to studies. Living with untreated sleep apnea means that the body is not receiving enough oxygen. Therefore, the brain wakes up from the deepest stage of the sleep cycle to signal the body to resume breathing again. These apneic episodes may occur hundreds of times a night, which may cause the sufferer to experience morning headaches, chronic fatigue, weight gain, and more. Find out about the dangers of untreated sleep apnea, how to tell if you have it, and how Dr. Chris Mohler provides sleep apnea treatment in Beaufort, Bluffton, and Hilton Head.
What is sleep apnea?
There are two main types of sleep apnea.
Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is the most common form. OSA occurs when the airway is blocked by soft tissue that collapses in the airway while sleeping.
Central sleep apnea (CSA) is different because it is related to a brain malfunction, not a blocked airway. With CSA, the brain fails to signal the body to breathe.
Dr. Chris Mohler provides sleep apnea treatment near you in Beaufort for patients with OSA or restrictive airways.
What causes sleep apnea?
Soft tissue blocking or restricting the airway while asleep cause obstructive sleep apnea. In some cases, the tongue slides back and blocks the airway. As air attempts to slip past the blockage, it vibrates the soft tissue, resulting in snoring. Loud gasps for air may be observed or heard in sufferers that experience complete pauses in breathing or apneic episodes while sleeping.
Why is sleep apnea a big deal?
Just like water and food, our bodies require air to survive. Additionally, quality sleep impacts the brain’s health and restoration. Untreated sleep apnea is detrimental to your health and could increase your risk of certain life-threatening diseases like cardiovascular disease, stroke, and dementia. Sleep apnea is a big deal because if the airflow is restricted or blocked while sleeping, blood oxygen levels decrease, and the heart works harder to pump blood throughout the body. Other organs may also suffer as a result. Also, the brain is forced to wake up out of the deepest stage of the sleep cycle, REM sleep, to signal the body to breathe again. These events may happen dozens of times per hour or hundreds of times a night.
As a result, untreated sleep apnea may cause:
- Chronic fatigue
- Weight gain
- Difficulty losing weight
- Irritability
- Depressive-like symptoms
Treatment for Sleep Apnea
At Chris Mohler, DDS, we offer sleep apnea treatment that does not involve the use of a CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure) machine, which is cumbersome and noisy. Instead, Dr. Mohler can design an oral orthotic to position your lower jaw and tongue correctly while you sleep. As a result, your airway becomes wider, allowing for proper airflow. Also referred to as oral appliance therapy, wearing an oral orthotic for sleep apnea is comfortable, convenient, and medication-free. Plus, your sleep apnea treatment will not disrupt your partner’s sleep.
Sleep Apnea Treatment in Beaufort, Bluffton, and Hilton Head
Sleep apnea does not have to rule your life! It is time to get relief from a dentist that you can trust. To learn more about sleep apnea screenings in Beaufort or schedule a consultation to explore sleep apnea treatments near Hilton Head, contact Chris Mohler, DDS, at (843) 522-1442 or complete our Contact Form.