Expert Treatment for Sleep Apnea in Belmont, MA

Sleep is one of the most important things we do each night. It restores our bodies and helps keep us properly regulated and rested. When sleep is interrupted in any way, this may cause problems that are potentially very dangerous to your health. Sleep apnea is a serious condition affecting your sleep, and the expert team at Belmont Dental Group can help. One of our dentists, John H. Lapidus, DMD, has special expertise in sleep apnea through the Dental Sleep Medicine Mini-Residency and is certified in this area. Offering special sleep studies, procedures, and custom-made equipment, we can help solve your sleep apnea issues so you get the rest you need.

What is sleep apnea?

Sleep apnea is a condition in which you stop breathing during the time you sleep, up to 20 to 30 times per hour. When your breathing stops, your brain is alerted to wake up your body to begin properly breathing again. The time you are “awake” is brief enough most people don’t recall it. This can lead to thinking you are getting proper sleep when, in reality, you are waking up many times during the night because your breathing isn’t normal. You can’t reach proper REM cycles and fully rest if your body is in a constant cycle of wake-sleep throughout the night. If you’ve been feeling unusually drowsy during the day, sleep apnea may be to blame.

Signs of sleep apnea

Sleep apnea affects up to 12 million Americans per year. If you notice any of the following symptoms, please contact Belmont Dental Group in Belmont, VA, to schedule an appointment and consultation with Dr. Lapidus, who can provide you with more information.

● Insomnia or difficulty falling asleep

● Snoring loudly

● Waking up during the night with a shortness of breath

● Choking or snorting sounds during the night, a sign of the body restarting normal breathing

● Headaches in the morning

● Dozing off or falling asleep during the day

● Drowsiness during the day

Risk factors of sleep apnea

Sleep apnea is generally categorized into three types. The most common is obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), where a physical blockage is present because tissue in the back of the throat has been compromised. Central sleep apnea (CSA) is less common, but involves the muscles not receiving the proper signals from the brain to breathe normally during sleep. Some patients suffer from a combination of both OSA and CSA, commonly referred to as complex sleep apnea. Sleep apnea affects men more than women, and mainly men over 40, but all people are potentially at risk for developing this condition. Smoking, obesity, heaving drinking, and family history also play important roles in determining your degree of risk for sleep apnea.

Professional treatment at Belmont Dental Group

Don’t let sleep apnea ruin you or your partner’s slumber any longer. If you’ve been suffering with sleep apnea, make an appointment with Dr. Lapidus today. In addition to a variety of tests and sleep studies, we can also custom design a device to be worn during sleep to ensure blockage does not occur. While the most severe cases of sleep apnea do require surgery, a consultation is always the first step. Our entire staff at Belmont Dental Group is committed to helping you achieve great health, and we look forward to serving you.

Think you might have sleep apnea? Call (617) 484-2431 today!