Diagnosis and Treatment of Sleep Apnea

Sleep apnea is a serious disorder in which breathing stops repeatedly throughout a patient’s sleep cycle. Sleep apnea will either partly or fully awaken a patient dozens or hundreds of times per night, which deprives the body of oxygen and raises numerous health risks. Today, patients with this disorder can often find relief through new dental treatments.

Sleep Apnea Diagnosis

Patients with sleep apnea often feel fatigued and breathless during the day without knowing why. Although many patients snore, not all of them with sleep apnea do. A sleep study, in which patients have their breathing and oxygen levels monitored overnight, is the standard diagnostic technique.

Sleep Apnea Treatments

CPAP, or continuous positive airway pressure, is the traditional option for treating sleep apnea, but it can be uncomfortable for many and is not always effective. By visiting our West Hollywood dentists, patients can explore their dental treatment options, including oral appliances and soft-tissue removal surgery. Whereas oral appliances work by keeping the tongue from blocking the airway during sleep, surgery can expand the airway to prevent this collapse.

If sleep apnea is left untreated, patients have a higher risk of suffering diabetes, heart attack, stroke, sudden cardiac death, dementia and fatal accidents. Prompt diagnosis and treatment from our expert in sleep apnea in West Hollywood is key to regaining quality of life, along with their health.