A common sleep disorder, obstructive sleep apnea involves the cessation of proper breathing for roughly 60 seconds at a time when soft oral tissues relax and block air passageways. When patients cease breathing for a few seconds, the brain will send signals for the body to wake slightly to reinstitute proper breathing. This condition results in a perpetual cycle of breathing cessation followed by slight wakefulness hundreds of times during a night. Because researchers have linked sleep apnea to other systemic health issues such as heart disease, stroke, depression, and diminished cognitive function, our oral surgeon offers non-surgical and surgical treatment for obstructive sleep apnea.
Sleep apnea essentially robs a sleeper from achieving the deep rest needed to fully rejuvenate the body and its tissues. Furthermore, sleep apnea prevents a patient from achieving proper levels of rest and instead contributes to fatigue and sleep deprivation. Untreated sleep apnea leads to oxygen deprivation and strains the cardiovascular system as well. Diagnosing and treating sleep apnea is imperative for patients to regain the ability to rest properly and safeguard their health from related complications.
After undergoing a sleep study, our oral surgeon will determine the best way to treat your sleep apnea based on your unique needs and the underlying cause of your condition. Sometimes simple lifestyle changes such as losing weight and abstaining from alcoholic beverages before bedtime help prevent obstruction of airways during sleep. Non-surgical treatment may include the use of an oral appliance that repositions the lower jaw slightly forward to prevent soft tissues from blocking airways or the use of a CPAP mask, which supplies a steady stream of air into the oral cavity to keep soft tissues from obstructing breath. Some common surgical treatments include jaw and nasal surgery.
If you feel you may have sleep apnea or if you are undergoing a sleep evaluation, we welcome you to seek treatment with our team. Contact Northern Texas Facial & Oral Surgery today to reserve a consultation with our experienced team of oral surgeons.
