Your loud snoring keeps your family wakes almost every night. It can ruin your health, your mood, and your interpersonal relationships. According to Dr. Donald M. Marks sleep apnea in State College requires treatment so you rest well and remain healthy. He offers oral appliance therapy to alleviate sleep apnea and give you and yours the rest you deserve.
What is Sleep Apnea?
Sleep apnea is a sleep disorder characterized by loud snoring, restless sleep, startled waking and gasping for air. Sufferers wake up many times during the night because of oxygen deprivation. According to the National Sleep Foundation, 18 million Americans have sleep apnea, and up to 20 percent of these people are children.
Most people have Obstructive Sleep Apnea, or OSA. OSA occurs when the soft palate relaxes over the throat, blocking the free passage of air. Without good oxygenation, the individual must wake up to take a breath. Each episode of sleep apnea can last 10 to 20 seconds and occur many times a night.
Other kinds of sleep apnea are Central Sleep Apnea, or CSA, in which the brain does not signal the respiratory system to breathe. Mixed Sleep Apnea combines features of both OSA and CSA.
Sleep Apnea is Serious
Scientific research links sleep apnea to serious systemic health problems such as:
- Type-2 diabetes
- High blood pressure
- Erectile dysfunction
- Stroke
- Heart attack
- Obesity
- Memory problems
- Daytime fatigue
- Irregular heartbeat
- Anxiety
- Depression
While people of all ages suffer from sleep apnea, Dr. Marks say that men over the age of 40 seem more prone. Other risk factors include:
- Smoking
- Excessive alcohol use
- Obesity
- Large neck circumference
- Enlarged tonsils
Sleep Apnea Treatment in State College
Sleep physicians often prescribe a device called a CPAP machine. CPAP stands for Continuous Positive Airway Pressure. Through a facial mask worn at night, the sleep apnea patient receives a steady stream of air from the bedside machine. This airflow opens the tissues at the back of the throat so breathing is unrestricted.
Some individuals adjust well to their CPAP machines. Unfortunately, others find them annoying and even claustrophobic; on average, compliance tends to be low.
A good alternative is a custom-made oral appliance, or snoring device, from State College Dental Sleep Medicine. A well-credentialed member of the American Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine, Dr. Marks often prescribes the SOMNODent snoring device.
Custom-fit and crafted to last, this sleep apnea treatment puts the lower jaw in a more forward position. The patient’s airway opens and respirations normalize, reducing or completely eliminating snoring and its harmful effects. Plus, because the oral appliances are so comfortable, patients are more compliant with their ongoing treatment.
Some patients benefit from a combination of CPAP and oral appliance therapy. They are able to wear their CPAP masks less or turn the machines to a lower setting. An oral appliance is more convenient when the individual is traveling, too.
Do You Snore?
During a personal consultation, Dr. Marks will evaluate you and if necessary, refer you to a sleep specialist for further testing. A SomnoDent device may be the answer to your snoring. Please
contact the office today to arrange an appointment, or take our online quiz to see if sleep apnea is a problem for you.