Are you ever jolted out of your sleep by someone shouting the words, “Stop snoring”? Well, if it’s any comfort, you’re not alone. Millions of Americans hear these words every night. Snoring is more than an alarm for you and an annoyance for your bed partner. It can be a sign of a more serious condition called sleep apnea. Dr. Renee Corbitt and her team in Ft. Worth, TX, have been diagnosing sleep apnea in patients for many years, and working with patients’ primary care physicians to help them get back to sleeping peacefully through the night.
Sleep apnea is a chronic condition that causes cessation of breathing during sleep. These moments when breathing stops may be brief, but their consequences can be great. Sleep apnea may occur hundreds of times during the night, adding up to a significant amount of lost sleep. Studies have shown that this nightly routine causes daytime exhaustion, poor concentration at work or at school, decreased motor coordination—which may be the cause of automobile accidents—and headaches. In addition, sleep apnea may have harmful effects on your overall health. These include:
- High blood pressure
- Stroke
- Heart disease
- Obesity
- Depression
- Diabetes
How is Sleep Apnea Treated?
Traditionally, sleep apnea has been treated with a CPAP—continuous positive airway pressure—machine. Today, however, there are viable CPAP alternatives that are more comfortable and equally effective. For obstructive airway sleep apnea, there are oral appliances that can be worn nightly. These appliances are similar to mouth guards and hold the jaw and tongue forward to facilitate clear breathing throughout the night. Dr. Corbitt can conduct a sleep apnea screening appointment, and may suggest an overnight sleep study at a sleep clinic for a more precise diagnosis.
Schedule an Appointment Today
If you’re hearing the words, “Stop snoring,” then call the office of Dr. Renee Corbitt in Ft. Worth, TX, for a sleep apnea screening. Our office also conveniently serves patients in Arlington, Richland Hills, Forest Hill and Haltom City and throughout the DFW Metroplex.