Sleep Apnea Treatment in Chicago, IL

Does your partner, yourself, or even your child snore? Many people are occasional snorers, but when the condition becomes chronic, it can disrupt your sleep and the sleep of those around you. Not only is it noisy, it may also point to a condition known as sleep apnea.

Sleep apnea is a disorder that disrupts a person’s sleep cycle by repeatedly stopping their breathing throughout the night, possibly for long periods of time. This can result in a number of health issues, including shortness of breath, light-headedness, headaches, etc. More serious conditions that have been linked to sleep apnea include heart disease, high blood pressure, weight gain, depression, memory issues, impotency, and other health concerns.

Sleep apnea can actually cause someone to stop breathing hundreds of times in a night, which puts stress on the vital organs. Fortunately, there are treatments for this condition, and you can gain access to them simply by scheduling an appointment at our South Loop dentist’s office.

Signs of Sleep Apnea

Snoring is one of the most common signs of sleep apnea, but so is physically stopping or skipping breaths while you sleep. Usually, you won’t be the first to notice these irregularities. Rather, your partner or a member of your household may be the one to tell you that you are snoring or seem to be having trouble breathing at night.

In some scenarios, friends or coworkers might notice symptoms that manifest during the day. You may doze off during work hours, need to take regular naps, feel dizzy or lightheaded, or have trouble concentrating and remembering important information.

If you believe you could be suffering from a sleep disorder, it’s important to talk to a sleep apnea specialist in Chicago’s South Loop at DentArt Chicago.

How A Sleep Apnea Doctor in Chicago Can Help

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According to the American Medical Association (AMA), an estimated 30 million people suffer from sleep apnea in the U.S., but only about 6 million are actually diagnosed. This means many patients go untreated.

Sleep apnea has been shown to improve with medication, oxygen therapy, and the use of continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machines. However, each patient’s condition is specific to them and their medical history. One treatment may work for one person, and not at all for another.

At DentArt Chicago, our dentists can provide sleep apnea treatment in the form of custom mouthguards. When patients wear this type of oral appliance at night, it repositions the tongue and jaw, and pushes both the top and bottom portions of the jaw forward to open the upper airway. As a result, breathing problems caused by various physical obstructions are remedied.

Mouthguards are far more comfortable than CPAP devices, and they don’t come with the same side effects, such as nasal irritation, skin chafing, headaches, or abdominal bloating. While some patients absolutely need a CPAP machine to treat their condition, many others will see improvement after wearing a custom mouthguard appliance. Mouthguards are typically more effective than medication and oxygen administration, as well.

The cause of your condition will have a hand in what treatment is right for you. At DentArt Chicago, our dentists are specially trained to diagnose sleep apnea. We are also able to provide you with a custom dental appliance designed to treat sleep apnea. Visit us today, and we can help you start getting a good night’s rest tomorrow!

Causes of Sleep Apnea

Sleep apnea can be caused by poor sleeping posture, enlarged tongue, tonsils, obesity, allergies, and various other issues. When a physical blockage of the airway is the source of the problem, it is known as obstructive sleep apnea. This often results in excessive snoring as the individual struggles to take in enough oxygen at night. If blood oxygen levels continuously drop, over time it can take a toll on your overall health.

Sleep apnea may also be linked to a condition where the brain fails to send signals to the body instructing it to breathe. In this case, it is called central sleep apnea. Complex sleep apnea syndrome is the combination of both obstructive and central sleep apnea.

Symptoms

There are many signs and symptoms associated with sleep apnea, including:

  • Snoring
  • Chronic fatigue
  • Suddenly waking up gasping or choking
  • Dreams of drowning
  • Headaches
  • Acid reflux
  • Insomnia
  • TMJ
  • Worsening of current health conditions
  • Dizziness or lightheaded-ness
  • Memory issues
  • Trouble concentrating

Sleep apnea can also contribute to mental health conditions, such as depression, ADHD, anxiety, worsening of associated symptoms, and more.

Visit Our Sleep Apnea Dentist in Chicago’s South Loop

Living with untreated sleep apnea can have a huge impact on your health, happiness, and daily life. If you’re experiencing symptoms that indicate you may have this condition, contact the dental professionals at DentArt Chicago. When you schedule an appointment with our team, we will diagnose your sleep apnea and provide you with customized treatment options.

Schedule a consultation today when you call, and we’ll help you improve your sleep quality as quickly as possible.