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Struggling with restless nights and daytime fatigue? At United Smiles Dentistry, we offer personalized and advanced sleep apnea treatments to help you improve your sleep quality and breathe more easily.

What is Sleep Apnea?

Sleep apnea (SA) is a common sleep disorder characterized by repeated interruptions in breathing, especially during sleep. This disruption can occur multiple times throughout the night. They can last for a few seconds to minutes.

As a result, it interferes with your ability to get sound sleep and can impact your overall well-being over time. Since sleep apnea often goes unnoticed, it may lead to daytime fatigue, cardiovascular issues, and poor quality of life, especially if left untreated.

Types of Sleep Apnea

Sleep apnea can be of different types. Each type has its own causes as well as treatments. Identifying which type you possibly have is the first step towards finding an appropriate solution.

Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA)

It is the most common form of sleep apnea. It occurs due to excessive relaxation of the throat muscles during sleep, causing a temporary blockage in airflow. This condition leads to loud snoring along with disrupted breathing and restless sleep.

Central sleep apnea (CSA)

Unlike OSA, CSA occurs when the brain fails to send proper signals to the muscles that control breathing. While it is not as common, it can be due to a medical problem that affects the nervous system.

Complex (Mixed) Sleep Apnea

Also known as treatment-emergent central sleep apnea, it is a mixed form of obstructive and central sleep apnea. The condition may initiate as OSA, but the patient develops symptoms of CSA after treatment, particularly when treated with CPAP therapy.

Common Signs and Symptoms of Sleep Apnea

Many people are unaware they have sleep apnea — often, a sleep partner notices the symptoms first, such as:

Loud, chronic snoring
Gasping, choking, or snorting sounds during sleep
Waking up feeling tired even after a full night's rest
Morning headaches
Difficulty concentrating during the day
Dry mouth or sore throat upon waking
Mood changes like irritability or depression

Diagnosing Sleep Apnea

Diagnosis of sleep apnea begins with a thorough evaluation of symptoms, medical history, and general sleep patterns. Common techniques used to detect sleep apnea include:

‍Sleep studies: This is a laboratory-based study that observes breathing patterns and measures oxygen levels, heart rate, and other vital signs.

‍Home testing kits: Sleep studies can also be conducted at home using a small device. This not only gives precise results but also offers a convenient option.

Risk Factors For Sleep Apnea

Anyone can be affected by sleep apnea, but some factors may increase your chances of getting this condition. If you know these risk factors, it can help you take proactive steps for early detection and treatment:
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1. Age: Although sleep apnea can occur at any age, it is primarily prevalent among older adults, particularly after the age of 40.
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2. Gender: Men are more prone to this condition as compared to women. However, post-menopausal women have a greater risk of developing sleep apnea.

3. Genetics: A Family history of sleep apnea can increase the risk of having sleep apnea.

4. Weight: Obesity, especially around the neck, significantly increases the risk of OSA as it can obstruct the airway.

5. Lifestyle: Smoking and alcohol can increase the chances of having sleep apnea as they can relax the throat muscles, which can interrupt normal breathing.

6. Nasal Congestion: Those who find difficulty breathing via the nose, be it due to anatomical issues or allergies, are more likely to develop sleep apnea.

Health Risks of Untreated Sleep Apnea

Ignoring sleep apnea doesn't just mean poor sleep. It can lead to serious health risks, including:

High blood pressure
Heart disease and stroke
Type 2 diabetes
Depression and anxiety
Impaired concentration and drowsy driving accidents

Sleep Well, Live Better—Contact Us Today

Don't let sleep apnea go unnoticed. Better sleep can mean better health, better energy, and a better life. Contact us to receive the best treatment for snoring, fatigue, or restless nights.

Testimonials

I had a great experience at Dr. Hetal Shah’s office! The staff was friendly and welcoming from the moment I arrived. The practice is very clean and hygienic. Dr. Shah was thorough and explained everything clearly during my check-up. The cleaning was gentle yet effective, and I appreciated the helpful tips she gave me for maintaining my oral health at home.

Khushboo Kothari

I found United Smiles on Yelp. They had good reviews, took my insurance, and were open on Saturdays, so I gave them a try. I was pleasantly surprised by the clean office and friendly staff. Dr. Shah was great! She was very friendly and gentle but thorough with my teeth cleaning. I look forward to future treatment with Dr. Shah & her staff.

Linda Scanlin

Our whole family visits United Smiles. We are very happy with their services. The staff is very friendly and welcoming. Dr. Shah is amazing! She has remedies and good suggestions for all of our dental problems. Thank you, Dr. Shah and team, for everything!!

Ramyani Dey

I had a great experience with Dr. Shah to replace a broken filling. She was fast and meticulous at the same time, couldn’t have asked for a more pleasant experience. The young man assisting Dr. Shah was very helpful too. Thank you so much, Dr. Shah!

Grace Huang

Frequently Asked Questions

Can a dentist diagnose sleep apnea?

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Dentists can recognize signs of sleep-disordered breathing and recommend next steps, but an official diagnosis typically requires a sleep study supervised by a physician.