Addressing Snoring and Sleep Apnea in Red Deer to Help Your Overall Health

Dr. Caroline and her team are not just concerned with the health of your mouth, but the overall health of all our patients as well. That's why we also offer treatment for sleep apnea in Red Deer. Sleep apnea causes a person’s breathing to be interrupted as they sleep. This is usually caused by a blockage of the airway. A common warning sign for this sleep-related breathing disorder is snoring. But since snoring is so common, many people choose to ignore this symptom and deem it harmless. Please don't! Your snoring may be more than just an annoying habit – it could be impacting your health!

Do you:

• Snore loudly?
• Feel tired or sleepy during the daytime, even after a "good" night's sleep?
• Stop breathing or gasp for air during your sleep?
• Have high blood pressure?
• Have a neck size larger than 15 ¾ inches around?
• Have symptoms such as gastric reflux, morning headaches, lack of concentration, or low energy?
• Have diabetes?
• Are you older than 50 years?

If you answer yes to several of these questions, you may be at risk for a sleep-related breathing disorder known as sleep apnea, the "Silent Killer."

What is Sleep Apnea?

Many people are affected by sleep apnea in Red Deer. But what exactly does the disorder do to your body? Sleep apnea is the cessation of breathing for ten seconds or more when sleeping. It is usually caused by the tongue falling back and blocking the airway. When this occurs, the resulting drop in oxygen in your bloodstream can gradually and cumulatively over time deprive your vital organs of the necessary oxygen they need to function and repair themselves. Sleep apnea interrupts the sleep cycles so that you don't reach the deeper stages of sleep crucial for the regeneration of tissues. It can put you at an increased risk of heart attack, stroke and other health concerns.

At our dental clinic, we are pleased to provide complimentary screening for this disorder. Should your results indicate that a sleep study be warranted, we can offer a take-home overnight sleep monitor. The results from this monitor are then sent to a Sleep Physician for diagnosis. The treatment for sleep apnea is based on your diagnosis. Severe cases may necessitate the wearing of a Continuous Positive Air Pressure (CPAP) machine to force air past the blockage, but mild to moderate cases may be treatable with a dental appliance.

If the latter option is recommended, you'll need to regularly wear your dental appliance while you sleep. It will fit and feel like a mouth guard and is designed to support the jaw and keep it in a forward position so your upper airway remains clear. If your dentist recommends a dental appliance, a mould of your mouth will be made in order to properly fabricate your custom appliance. Your new dental appliance should fit comfortably without impacting your breathing or causing any irritation. And due to its portability, it can be taken on all your travels!

By offering a sleep apnea screening and testing service, we hope to create awareness of the seriousness of sleep disordered breathing. If you or a loved one might benefit from a complimentary consultation, please call us at 403-346-0077!