The past few months have been stressful – your mother had surgery, there have been cuts at work that have caused you to work long hours, and your wife just announced that you’re going to be a dad. With everything that’s going on in your life right now it’s only natural to lose sleep – but you’re so exhausted every morning that you think something else might be going on. After taking our sleep apnea quiz and looking into the symptoms, you know it’s time to schedule an appointment with Donald Marks Family Dentistry, your premier choice for a sleep apnea dentist in State College.
Could I Have Sleep Apnea?
Many people are affected by sleep apnea and most don’t even realize they could have this condition. This disorder is common and is only second behind insomnia as the most diagnosed sleep problem. Take a look at the details below to see if you might be exhibiting the signs of sleep apnea:
- Waking up with a sore or dry throat and mouth
- Loud snoring (although you can still have sleep apnea if you don’t snore at all)
- Silent pauses in breathing while sleeping (usually noticed by your partner)
- Waking up with a gasping sensation
- Morning headaches
- Morning asthma attacks
- Extreme sleepiness during the day, even after a full night’s sleep
- Drowsiness when driving
- Restless or poor quality sleep
- Waking up with the urge to urinate
- Forgetfulness, trouble concentrating
- Depression, anxiety, irritability
- Decreased sexual desire/interest
How Can Sleep Apnea Affect Me?
Although some people laugh off snoring and take the trouble that sleep apnea can bring lightly, this is a serious medical condition. Sleep apnea can cause heart disease, high blood pressure, stroke, diabetes, and even puts patients at risk for sudden death when this disorder isn’t treated. A shortened life span is something no one would expect from a sleep problem, but this is all too common.
Doctors will usually recommend CPAP as the primary method of treatment, but this machine can be uncomfortable and cumbersome. Since it blows air into your nose and throat all night long, and the tubes can sometimes prevent a good night’s sleep, many patients cannot or will not tolerate this primary treatment method.
What Should You Do If You Have Sleep Apnea But CPAP Doesn’t Work?
If you have sleep apnea, but CPAP isn’t for you, you have options to receive the care you need. Don’t be resigned to poor quality sleep and a slew of resulting health problems – talk with Dr. Marks about using custom oral appliance therapy for your sleep apnea.
Dr. Marks can fit you with a 100% custom device that fits like a nightguard. The appliance is worn at night, and gently pulls the lower jaw forward, moving your tongue out of the way and allowing you to breathe freely while you sleep. This method is well-tolerated and effective – about 80% of patients benefit from dental sleep apnea treatment.
Since Donald Marks Family Dentistry is a trusted sleep medicine expert, schedule an appointment today to start treating your sleep apnea in State College – get the rest you deserve!