Obstructive Sleep Apnea is a sleep disorder that causes breathing to stop and start repeatedly during sleep. It is caused when the muscles in the back of your throat relax too much to allow normal breathing. It is estimated that obstructive sleep apnea affects 2-9% of adults in the United States. It can often go undiagnosed or unrealized since it occurs in your sleep.
Although anyone can develop sleep apnea, it is most common in male adults. There are also certain factors and pre-existing conditions that can put someone at increased risk of developing obstructive sleep apnea, including:
- Smoking
- Diabetes
- Family History
- Hypertension
- Asthma
- Obesity
- Cardiovascular Disease
- Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)
Sleep apnea affects millions of Americans and their daily lives. Because those with obstructive sleep apnea are repeatedly awakening in the middle of the night, a good night’s sleep is impossible. Daytime fatigue and sleepiness are very common and can be disruptive and distracting while trying to get work done. This can be dangerous if you start to doze off when driving or operating heavy machinery at a worksite. The repeated awakenings associated with sleep apnea can make it hard to concentrate at work or school, resulting in poor performance. Obstructive sleep apnea can also lead to cardiovascular problems and complications with certain medications and anesthesia.
Although sleep apnea can be detrimental to your health and daily life, there are effective treatments to help patients alleviate the symptoms of obstructive sleep apnea. The MicrO2 Sleep and Snore Device is a cutting-edge treatment for sleep apnea designed to mitigate symptoms more comfortably and effectively. The MicrO2 device gently holds your lower jaw forward while sleeping, keeping your airway open to minimize snoring and other symptoms.
Chestnut Ridge Dental is proud to help our patients suffering from obstructive sleep apnea. We offer the Micr02 Sleep and Snore Device and other advanced sleep apnea technology to comfortably and safely alleviate snoring and other symptoms of sleep apnea. If you believe that you suffer from sleep apnea, please schedule a consultation with one of our doctors. To schedule an appointment, contact us at (201) 391-4466.
