Snoring, waking with a start, daytime sleepiness–they can be signs of a serious medical condition called sleep apnea. Dr. Renee Corbitt, general dentist serving the Fort Worth, TX area, evaluates patients for sleep apnea and refers to sleep clinics for diagnosis and treatment.
When is snoring serious? Snoring is serious when it is a symptom of sleep apnea. Stopping an individual’s flow of oxygen, sleep apnea is dangerous, contributing to health conditions such as diabetes, hypertension, depression, anxiety, stroke, hypothyroidism, insomnia, and memory problems. Dr. Renee Corbitt, Fort Worth area dentist, has received special training in sleep apnea and screens her patients for this medical condition which affects millions of adult Americans
Symptoms of sleep apnea vary
The presenting symptom is often snoring so loudly that sleep, including that of the spouse, is interrupted. Additionally, people:
- stop breathing
- wake with a start
- have daytime sleepiness and headaches
- can’t concentrate
- feel fatigued even after sleeping 8 hours
There are different types of sleep apnea
Sleep apnea falls into 3 types: obstructive, central or mixed. Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) occurs when the soft tissues at the back of the throat relax and block the airway. More serious Central Sleep Apnea (CSA) happens when the brain neglects to send the body the signal to breathe. Mixed Sleep Apnea is a combination of the 2 other kinds.
Who gets sleep apnea?
Anyone can experience sleep apnea, but some individuals seem more prone to OSA, including people who:
- are male
- are over 40
- are obese
- smoke
- drink alcohol to excess
- have a hereditary tendency toward the condition
What sleep apnea therapies are available?
Dr. Corbitt screens her patients for sleep apnea and, depending on the severity of the situation, refers to a sleep physician. Many times, she can treat mild to moderate OSA with a customized mouthpiece which holds the jaw forward during sleep. This jaw position opens the airway and allows for free flow of oxygen.
More severe OSA, CSA and Mixed Sleep Apnea often are treated with a CPAP machine. CPAP means Continuous Positive Airway Pressure. CPAP machines deliver a steady stream of oxygen through a nasal mask. The oxygen is under sufficient pressure to keep the airway open. The most severe cases of sleep apnea require surgeries to remove soft tissues in the throat or to reposition the jaw.
Sleep apnea can be treated
As part of her comprehensive treatment plan for all her patients, Dr. Corbitt does more than look for cavities and install crowns. She considers the interplay between oral health and systemic health. That’s why she evaluates people for sleep apnea and works with other health care providers to arrive at the best possible treatment, including sleep studies, CPAP, oral appliances and lifestyle changes such as losing weight, smoking cessation and other modalities.
Do you snore?
Don’t neglect this sleep problem. Contact general Fort Worth dentist Dr. Renee Corbitt and her team to arrange a consultation. You’ll sleep better and feel better, too!