Sleep Apnea Specialist
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Dr. Jane Brodsky and Associates
Cosmetic & General Dentistry & Invisalign located in North Bethesda, MD
More than 18 million Americans suffer from sleep apnea. This condition obstructs your breathing at night, causing coughing and other interruptions during sleep. Dr. Jane Brodsky and the team in North Bethesda, Maryland, diagnose and treat sleep apnea effectively, helping you get the rest you need to be productive at school or work. If sleep apnea keeps you up at night, call or use the online booking tool and schedule an appointment at the office today.
Sleep Apnea Q & A
What is sleep apnea?
Sleep apnea is a common, serious sleep disorder that involves obstructed breathing during sleep. Obstructions to your air passageway at night can lead to strained breathing while you sleep and have you waking up tired and unable to be your best self at work, school, or in your social life.
There are three main types of sleep apnea:
Obstructive Sleep Apnea
This is the most common form of sleep apnea. It occurs when your throat muscles relax too much, which narrows your air passageway so you can't get sufficient air in. This can decrease the oxygen level in your blood.
Central Sleep Apnea
This type of sleep apnea occurs when your muscles don’t receive proper signals from your brain to control breathing.
Complex Sleep Apnea Syndrome
Complex sleep apnea syndrome refers to a diagnosis involving a combination of factors linked to both obstructive and central sleep apnea.
What are common signs and symptoms of sleep apnea?
The most common signs and symptoms of sleep apnea, most of which are associated with all forms of the condition, include:
- Daytime drowsiness
- Loud snoring
- Difficulty remaining asleep
- Difficulty concentrating
- Irritability
- Morning headaches
- Shortness of breath during sleep
- Waking up constantly during sleep
- Waking up with a dry mouth or a sore throat
Since many of the symptoms occur while you sleep, they can be hard to notice on your own. If your sleeping partner tells you they notice symptoms of sleep apnea, or you notice your sleeping partner’s symptoms, you should take it seriously.
If you think you have sleep apnea, it’s important that you seek medical attention right away.
How do you treat sleep apnea?
Treatment for sleep apnea may involve surgery, CPAP or BiPAP machines, or oral appliance therapy. Oral appliances provide the least invasive option and are often a good choice for the treatment of mild to moderate sleep apnea. A carefully calibrated appliance can comfortably help hold your jaw in a precise position throughout the night, allowing critical oxygen flow.
If you settle for appliance therapy, your dentist helps fit you with the right method and positioning designed to precisely maintain your airway during sleep. They monitor your progress with follow-up visits to ensure results.
Call the office today or use the online booking tool to schedule a sleep apnea consultation with Dr. Jane Brodsky.
