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!