Sleep Apnea Therapy – Ponte Vedra Beach, FL

Breathe Better, Sleep Better, Feel Better

Woman waking up refreshed thanks to sleep apnea therapy in Ponte Vedra Beach

Do you have problems sleeping at night? Do you wake up tired? Do you snore? You may have sleep apnea. Sleep apnea is a serious sleep disorder that afflicts millions of people. Unfortunately, it often remains undiagnosed for years. If you suspect that you have it, we urge you to seek diagnosis and sleep apnea treatment in Ponte Vedra Beach as soon as possible. With the right therapy, you could improve your daily quality of life and your overall health!

What Is Sleep Apnea?

Snoring man, may be suffering from sleep apnea

Sleep apnea presents itself when someone's breathing is interrupted during sleep. People who have untreated sleep apnea will stop breathing repeatedly during their sleep, sometimes dozens or even hundreds of times each night. This means the brain — and the rest of the body — may not get enough oxygen.

There are a few different types of sleep apnea, but the most common is obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). It occurs when tissues in the throat block the free flow of air. Its symptoms include:

Loud, frequent snoring
Morning headaches and sore throats
Observed pauses in breathing
Mood swings and irritability
Slowed reaction times
Daytime exhaustion

The Dangers of Sleep Apnea

Exhausted man with sleep apnea struggling to work

On the surface, sleep apnea may seem like nothing more than a nuisance. However, it poses a threat to your overall health. Research has found that individuals with OSA are more likely to suffer from heart attack, stroke, depression, anxiety, obesity, dementia, and a range of other conditions. Many researchers believe that such correlations are due to how oxygen deprivation and poor-quality sleep affect the brain and hormones.

Another danger of sleep apnea is the fact that it can hinder your ability to drive well. People with OSA are more likely to be involved in motor vehicle accidents than individuals who are free of sleep disorders.

Sleep Apnea Treatment Options

Man sleeping well with help of sleep apnea treatment

The standard of care for years has been the CPAP. The CPAP is a machine that forces air into the airway to maintain proper oxygen flow. However, many patients who have used a CPAP claim that it is so uncomfortable that they often choose not to wear it. This is why oral appliance therapy from a dentist in Ponte Vedra Beach has become a favorite of many patients. An oral appliance is a small, mouthguard-like device that repositions the jaw in order to keep the airway open during sleep. It is convenient, portable, silent, and easy to use. Here at Ponte Vedra Complete Dentistry, we offer oral appliances from two popular companies: SomnoMed and Embla.

If you are interested in learning more about sleep apnea treatment options, get in touch with us. We can help you arrange for appropriate testing, after which we may be able to recommend the type of oral appliance that we believe is right for you.

Sleep Apnea FAQs

Senior man in gray shirt snoring, interrupting his wife’s sleep

Sleep apnea in Ponte Vedra Beach is a dangerous condition. Fortunately, our team can help you address it, allowing you to protect both your overall health and your nightly shuteye. Before you schedule your consultation, however, you may want to know more about the road ahead. To assist you, we have compiled a list of frequently asked questions about this disorder, along with brief answers. Feel free to call us if you would like further explanation on anything you learn here.

What Is Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA)?

Obstructive sleep apnea, also known as OSA, is the more common type of sleep apnea. It occurs when tissues in the throat over-relax during sleep and block the free flow of air. It may arise as a result of excess fat around the neck, anatomical abnormalities, sinus congestion, or other factors.

OSA is significantly different than central sleep apnea (CSA), which occurs when the brain fails to send proper signals to breathe during sleep. In some cases, OSA and CSA happen concurrently. This is known as complex sleep apnea or mixed sleep apnea.

What Are Common Symptoms of Sleep Apnea?

Loud, frequent snoring is one of the most common signs of OSA because the tissues that vibrate and cause noise during sleep are the same ones that can block the airway. Of course, snoring is just one potential indicator of OSA. Other signs and symptoms include:

Frequent nighttime urination
Daytime exhaustion
Difficulty concentrating
Observed pauses in breathing
Waking up gasping for air
Frequently waking up with a sore throat or headache

How Common Is Sleep Apnea?

According to one estimate, about 22 million people in the U.S. suffer from sleep apnea. However, many of those cases remain undiagnosed. Some individuals may fail to seek diagnosis and treatment because they have started to feel that snoring and feeling tired all the time are normal.

Many people who have sleep apnea are either obese or up in years. However, even thin, fit, and young people can suffer from this condition. If you are experiencing some of its symptoms, you should certainly seek a diagnosis. The sooner you address sleep problems, the less likely it is that you will experience significant health consequences down the road.

What Can Increase the Risk for Developing Sleep Apnea?

Some significant risk factors for developing sleep apnea include:

Obesity (specifically when it is accompanied by a large neck circumference)
Smoking
Enlarged adenoids or tonsils
A naturally large neck circumference
Older age
Frequent alcohol consumption

Since some risk factors for OSA are modifiable, we encourage patients to do their best to manage their weight, limit their alcohol consumption, and avoid smoking. While such measures may not always be able to completely prevent OSA, they may be able to reduce its severity.