Sleep Apnea Treatment
in Cary, NC

Yes, certain lifestyle changes can help manage sleep apnea, especially mild cases. These changes include losing weight if you're overweight, exercising regularly, avoiding alcohol and sleeping pills, quitting smoking, and maintaining regular sleep hours. Elevating the head during sleep and sleeping on your side instead of your back can also help keep the airway open. While these lifestyle changes can be beneficial, they should complement, not replace, medical treatments advised by your dentist in Cary.

Sleep apnea can have a significant impact on overall health if left untreated. It's associated with a variety of health issues, including high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, diabetes, and depression. People with sleep apnea often experience poor sleep quality, leading to daytime fatigue, decreased alertness, and impaired cognitive function. It can also contribute to performance issues at work or school and increase the risk of accidents, especially while driving.

There are three main types of sleep apnea: obstructive sleep apnea, central sleep apnea, and complex sleep apnea syndrome. Obstructive sleep apnea, the most common form, occurs when throat muscles relax, blocking your airway during sleep. Central sleep apnea occurs when your brain doesn't send proper signals to the muscles that control breathing. Complex sleep apnea syndrome, also known as treatment-emergent central sleep apnea, occurs when someone has both obstructive sleep apnea and central sleep apnea. Dr. Myers will evaluate your symptoms and help you get the treatment you need.

Sleep apnea often goes undiagnosed because the most prominent symptoms occur during sleep. However, there are several warning signs you can watch out for. These include loud or frequent snoring, observed episodes of stopped breathing during sleep, abrupt awakenings accompanied by gasping or choking, waking up with a dry mouth or sore throat, morning headache, difficulty staying asleep (insomnia), excessive daytime sleepiness (hypersomnia), difficulty paying attention while awake, and irritability.

Sleep apnea is primarily caused by the relaxation of throat muscles while you sleep. When these muscles relax, your airway narrows or closes as you breathe in, depriving your brain of oxygen. Your brain senses this inability to breathe and briefly rouses you from sleep to reopen your airway. This pattern can repeat itself five to 30 times or more each hour, all night, impairing your ability to reach the deep, restful phases of sleep. Risk factors include being overweight, having a thick neck circumference, being older, having a family history of sleep apnea, using alcohol or sedatives, smoking, and having chronic nasal congestion. Start your sleep apea treatment in Cary today!

Sleep apnea is diagnosed through a comprehensive sleep study. This test is usually conducted in a sleep lab, where you will be monitored overnight. During the study, several physiological parameters are measured, including your brain activity, eye movement, heart rate, and oxygen levels in your blood. The data collected will reveal any irregular breathing patterns, periods of silence, and sudden attempts to breathe. If the results indicate that you stop breathing frequently during your sleep, you may be diagnosed with sleep apnea. Contact our Cary dentist to schedule your consultation.