Tag: Sleep Apnea Dentist Glen Burnie

Sleep apnea can make it difficult to get a good night’s sleep. If you snore, your family or partner may also have trouble sleeping. Between 50 and 70 million people suffer from sleep apnea each night in the United States. Snoring can be an inconvenience, but sleep apnea can cause more serious health issues over time, so treatment is essential.

A Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) machine is commonly used for individuals who suffer from a condition called obstructive sleep apnea. Obstructive sleep apnea occurs when the muscles supporting the soft tissues in your throat, such as your tongue and soft palate, relax temporarily. Your airway narrows or closes when these muscles relax, and breathing is temporarily halted. The CPAP machine uses a breathing mask to provide airflow while sleeping. Some users may feel claustrophobic or uncomfortable when wearing the mask. 

Our sleep apnea dentist in 21061 treats patients who suffer from sleep apnea in our dental office and recommend treatment options that are effective for them. Some examples are below. 

Oral devices

Oral appliances such as mouthguards provide a standard treatment option for mild cases of sleep apnea that does not require as much care and effort as CPAP. During sleep, mouthguards hold the tongue in place or ease the jaw forward, helping to open and maintain the airway. Because this appliance is smaller, it requires less maintenance.

Surgical procedures

Occasionally, a genetic condition can also result in sleep apnea. Some people are born with large tonsils or extra tissue in their throats, which can cause difficulty breathing while they are sleeping. In addition, the tongue, jaw, soft palate, and other areas may also be affected. Patients may undergo oral surgery to greatly improve their breathing while sleeping due to permanent changes in their anatomy.

Therapeutic positioning

Positioning during sleep can potentially cause sleep apnea because it hinders breathing. Research suggests sleeping on your stomach or your side can reduce the chances of developing sleep apnea. The use of devices attached to the waist or back can reduce the symptoms of sleep apnea by preventing people from lying on their backs while they sleep.

A lifestyle change might be an option for treating mild or severe sleep apnea. If you are overweight, weight loss can help reduce or eliminate the symptoms of sleep apnea. Aside from CPAP therapy, other treatment options are available for patients with sleep apnea.

 Please contact our sleep apnea dental office in Glen Burnie, MD if you have any questions about sleep apnea or if you would like to schedule a consultation.

If you get quality sleep, you will feel refreshed the next morning. In addition to what we eat, how we act, and how we feel, sleep influences many aspects of our lives. Therefore, sleep apnea could affect you in more ways than one. The benefits of adapting your sleep pattern can benefit your day-to-day life in a number of ways.

Do not let hunger overwhelm you.

The two hormones involved in controlling appetite and stopping overeating are directly influenced by sleep. These two hormones are called leptin and ghrelin. Leptin, found in fat cells, tells your brain when you are full and suppresses your appetite. The hormone ghrelin in your stomach tells your brain that you’re hungry, and it spikes right before a meal. Sleep helps regulate these two hunger-based hormones, which prevent you from overeating or undereating.

Discussions that are more productive.

Getting a good night’s sleep can help you avoid arguments with your partner. People who are sleep-deprived tend to be more irritable and less patient. It’s proven that better sleep will make you more productive and civil in your disagreements.

In their Psychoneuroendocrinology journal, Ohio State University researchers examined 43 couples who had disagreements while they were sleep-deprived. Couples with less sleep argued more aggressively than those with more sleep the night before. In addition, the study showed that conflicts were less hostile when one partner received adequate sleep for consecutive nights.

A better quality of life

A separate study shared by our sleep apnea dentist in 21061 found that a lack of sleep is associated with increased inflammation after an argument. Chronic inflammation is implicated in many diseases, including heart disease, cancer, diabetes, and depression. Researchers found that a one-hour difference in sleep could affect inflammation. Sleep apnea is usually associated with a lack of sleep, which leads to health problems. Sleep apnea can be treated, and our dental office can recommend a treatment that may help you.

Improved mental health

Scientists have discovered that the brain needs one hour offline to process all the information it has acquired during the two hours it has been awake. Although the exact mechanisms of sleep and cognition are still being studied, sleep allows your brain to consolidate learning from the previous day, allowing it to utilize that information in the future.

Is there anything I can do to get a better night’s sleep?

Our dental office can help if you have difficulty sleeping due to obstructive sleep apnea. With the experience and compassion of our team, we can help you sleep better at night. Please contact our sleep apnea dental office in Glen Burnie for a sleep apnea consultation.

It is common for people to have trouble sleeping when traveling at high altitudes. Lack of oxygen at high altitudes affects your ability to sleep since your body undergoes a series of adjustments known as acclimatization. Sleep apnea symptoms can affect a wide range of people. However, those who already suffer from them may find it more challenging to adjust. 

Sleep apnea is a disorder that occurs when someone’s breathing is interrupted while they are asleep. Sleep apnea patients stop breathing repeatedly during their sleep, sometimes hundreds of times. Sleep apnea can cause various health problems, including hypertension (high blood pressure), stroke, cardiomyopathy (enlargement of the muscle tissue in the heart), heart failure, diabetes, and heart attacks. Additionally, untreated sleep apnea can lead to job impairment, work-related accidents, motor vehicle accidents, as well as underachievement in school in children and adolescents.

In the event that you suffer from sleep apnea, we can address these potential problems head-on as well as prepare you for your trip to higher altitudes. Our dentist in Glen Burnie will suggest a few things to help you have a restful and rejuvenating night’s sleep, including the following:

• Make sure you pack your CPAP machine and use it when traveling to areas where symptoms might worsen. If you do not use a CPAP machine, speak with your doctor before traveling to a high altitude about the possibility of using a CPAP or dental appliance. 
• While at a high altitude, it is best to ascend slowly and drink adequate amounts of water. As the Institute for Altitude Medicine explains, your body loses water twice as quickly by respiration at high altitudes as it does at sea level, and dehydration can impact your sleep patterns. Pack several bottles of water in your carry-on bags so that you will have them available when needed.
• When staying in an area with a higher elevation, sleeping on the ground floor or even in a lower elevation room will help offset the effects of your sleep apnea.
• If you suffer from severe altitude sickness, you may need to consult with your doctor about prescribing medication.

People with sleep apnea face unique challenges when traveling to high-elevation destinations. With careful planning in advance, you can easily achieve a restful and relaxing trip.

A wide range of treatment options are available for sleep apnea. For more information or to schedule a consultation, please feel free to contact our Glen Burnie, MD dental office.

Snoring can be loud and incredibly annoying for people who are trying to sleep nearby. It can result in many sleepless nights and elaborate revenge plans for many frustrated sleeping partners. People often ignore snoring, but it may be a sign of a more serious condition.

Snoring occurs when airflow is restricted while you sleep. Long-term or loud snoring increases the risk of heart attacks and strokes. Snoring may be prevented by losing weight and avoiding alcohol before bed. Our sleep apnea dentist in 21061 can provide treatment options if it keeps you awake or disrupts the sleep of your partner.

Besides the psychological effects of snoring, it can also negatively impact the quality of your life. Snoring is a symptom of a sleeping disorder called sleep apnea. The National Sleep Foundation estimates that snoring affects nearly 90 million Americans today. Over half of those people suffer from sleep apnea. However, snoring alone doesn’t necessarily mean you have a form of sleep apnea. 

Snoring is often associated with a condition known as obstructive sleep apnea. Obstructive sleep apnea occurs when something blocks part or all of your upper airway while you’re sleeping. Your breathing can become shallow or even stop temporarily. There may be times when you do not sleep well, but you may not be aware that it is happening. Additionally, the condition can decrease oxygen flow to the organs and lead to irregular heart rhythms.

These are some of the symptoms commonly associated with obstructive sleep apnea.

• Insomnia
• Having difficulty concentrating during the day.
• When you wake up, your mouth feels dry or you have a sore throat.
• Snoring loudly
• A sudden awakening accompanied by gasping or choking.
• Morning headaches

It’s extremely unlikely that sleep apnea can lead to death, and the symptoms won’t just cause you to stop breathing. However, OSA can increase your risk of potentially fatal health conditions, some of which may cause sudden death.

Having sleep-disordered breathing for a long period of time can have serious health consequences. It may increase the risk of high blood pressure, diabetes, and heart disease. In addition, it can lead to depression and memory problems, increase daytime sleepiness, and increase the risk of accidents. Obstructive sleep apnea is not fatal on its own, but it can cause a number of problems that can threaten your life. For that reason, treating sleep apnea is vital to your health.

We are fortunate to be able to offer a wide range of treatment options for sleep apnea. For more information, please contact our dental office in Glen Burnie, MD.

Researchers have been investigating all aspects of sleep for the past few decades. Even though we still have a lot to learn, there is some good information available that can assist us in getting a good night’s rest. 

We treat many patients with sleep apnea in our dental office and answer many sleep-related questions. Here are a few questions that people commonly ask our sleep apnea dentist in 21061 about sleeping.

1.) Is it true that most people dream only in black and white?

According to the New York Times, approximately 12% of people dream without color. Only 15% of people could see color in their dreams before color television, which is why older people are more likely to dream in black and white.

2.) When is the best time for you to sleep?

In most cases, it takes 10–20 minutes to fall asleep, depending on your sleep cycle. Occasionally, your body will let you know when something is amiss by taking longer than usual to fall asleep. When sleep-deprived, a person might fall asleep almost immediately. Having trouble sleeping or feeling groggy the next day can indicate a more serious health problem, such as sleep apnea.

3.) How much time do we spend sleeping?

Most of us spend approximately one-third of our lives sleeping. However, this vital part of your life can suffer significantly if you suffer from sleep apnea. Fortunately, most people who suffer from sleep apnea can be treated by a professional. 

4.) What can you do if you have difficulty getting out of bed in the morning?

We all have days when getting out of bed is challenging. It is possible that you suffer from a condition called dysania if you have trouble getting out of bed nearly every day. Sleep apnea, which has many underlying causes, is one of the causes of dysania. With the right treatment, you can get a good night’s sleep and enjoy your day to the fullest.

5.) Which is more dangerous: a lack of sleep or a lack of food?

It may surprise you to learn that sleep is more important to your body than food. The body is fueled by food, but it cannot function without adequate sleep. Although sleep apnea rarely causes death, if you don’t get enough restorative sleep every night, it could have serious health effects. 

6.) How many couples share a bed?

According to the National Sleep Foundation, approximately 10% of married couples sleep in separate rooms. Sleeping that disturbs your partner may be a sign of a more serious condition like sleep apnea, which is treatable.

Almost 22 million Americans suffer from a possible sleeping disorder, which can easily be addressed with a consultation in our sleep apnea dental office in Glen Burnie. Call us today to schedule an appointment.

In the United States, sleep apnea rates are increasing among adults, reaching between 50 and 70 million people. The rise in obesity rates is expected to lead to an even greater increase in sleep apnea cases. Thus, you must understand what sleep apnea is and that our dental office is always available to answer any questions you may have. 

People are often unaware that there are three types of sleep apnea. Since they have different causes, symptoms, and frequencies, it is important to understand them completely. Here we will examine the symptoms, how sleep apnea can be identified, and how it can be effectively treated. 

Sleep Apnea (Obstructive Sleep Apnea)

Approximately 30% of men and 15% of women suffer from obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). People with OSA have trouble concentrating, thinking, and remembering the day’s events because their throat muscles, which naturally relax during sleep, collapse too much to allow normal breathing. This hinders the flow of air in their airway and can have a negative impact on their mental and physical performance. Additionally, it has been shown to increase the risk of accidents at work and on the road. The most common risk factor for obstructive sleep apnea is obesity.

Central Sleep Apnea

Unlike obstructive sleep apnea, central sleep apnea is less common and can also be harder to diagnose and treat. Central sleep apnea occurs when the brain fails to send the correct information to the muscles that control breathing. People with central sleep apnea often suffer from underlying illnesses as well, such as brain infections or conditions affecting the brainstem.

Complex Sleep Apnea Syndrome

The third type of sleep apnea has more recently been identified and is called complex sleep apnea. This is a combination of obstructive and central sleep apnea. Patients with complex sleep apnea syndrome still experience breathing problems even after their airway obstruction is treated. This indicates that something other than collapsing throat muscles is also contributing to the apnea. 

There are many different treatments available for sleep apnea. Depending on the severity of your condition, our sleep apnea dentist in 21061 may recommend one of the following options:

• Lifestyle changes, such as losing weight or quitting smoking, are usually recommended for milder cases.
• Continuous Positive Airway Pressure, or CPAP, is a machine that continuously delivers positive air pressure. CPAP is just enough to keep the airways open and prevent symptoms such as sleep apnea and snoring.
• The bilevel positive airway pressure (BPAP) machine provides more pressure when you inhale and less when you exhale.
• Treatment of associated medical problems, such as heart and neuromuscular problems,
• The use of supplemental oxygen during sleep.
• Adaptive servo-ventilation (ASV), a recently approved airflow device, learns your normal breathing patterns and stores them on a built-in computer. To prevent sleep pauses, the machine uses pressure to normalize your breathing pattern.

If left untreated, sleep apnea can cause serious health problems, such as high blood pressure and heart problems. We encourage you to contact our sleep apnea dental office in Glen Burnie to schedule a consultation if you have sleep apnea symptoms.

Sleep apnea has a lot more health implications than one may think. Not only does it leave you feeling groggy and tired in the morning, but it can literally change the way your brain chemistry and body work. The physical side effects of sleep apnea are well documented. In fact, you’ve probably heard about many of them, including high blood pressure, heart disease, and diabetes. But the truth is, obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) can take a heavy toll on your brain and emotions as well. 

Mammillary Bodies

When individuals suffer from sleep apnea, they often struggle to breath, or even stop altogether, during the night. As the brain’s oxygen supply is cut off, measurable physical damage occurs, changing the brain’s normal functions. Mammillary bodies- structures responsible for memory storage- are particularly affected by this lack of oxygen. Research done at UCLA compared the mammillary bodies of sleep apnea sufferers with those of healthy individuals. They found that the troubled sleepers had nearly 20% smaller mammillary bodies than those who did not.

Multiple studies have discovered a decrease in both gray and white matter in OSA- affected brains. This research also concluded that poor sleep quality caused by OSA could be responsible for poor memory, emotional problems, and decreased cognitive function.

GABA

There are two important chemicals that impact how the brain is working. Referred to as neurotransmitters, these chemicals are glutamate and gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA). Studies done by the UCLA School of Nursing found substantial differences in the amounts of these two chemicals present in the brains of OSA patients. In high doses, glutamate can actually cause damage to the brain. The good news is, these effects have been shown to be reversible.

The Power of A CPAP

The American Academy of Sleep Medicine conducted a pair of studies that evaluated the effects of CPAP therapy. They found that after a year of treatment, patients’ white brain matter was almost completely restored, while gray matter substantially improved after three months.

If you or a loved one is suffering from brain-related symptoms of sleep apnea, schedule an appointment at our sleep apnea dental office in Glen Burnie with our sleep apnea dentist in 21061 or your doctor. Together, you can find a solution that will have you feeling like a normal person again.

The typical sleep apnea patient often appears in our minds as an overweight, middle-aged to older man. While it’s true that many people suffering from obstructive sleep apnea fit this description, children and young adults can also suffer from the disease.

There are, however, a few key differences between the sleep apnea your children may face and adult sleep apnea. For instance, children are much more likely to experience behavioral problems, while adults usually deal with daytime drowsiness. 

For many kids too, the common cause of sleep apnea comes from an enlargement of the tonsils or adenoids (a part of the lymphatic system) rather than obesity. While sleep apnea is a serious condition for anyone who suffers, it is especially important for children who are still developing mentally and physically to get the care they need. Untreated sleep apnea can cause your child to become sick more frequently and more seriously, affect growth, cognitive development, and as previously mentioned, behavior.

At a young age, sleep is particularly important to human development. Many studies done across the globe have shown this to be the case. In everything from weight gain and diabetes to learning and focus in school and daily life, sleep is the deciding factor.

For instance, growth hormones are primarily secreted during deep sleep. If suffering from sleep apnea, a deep sleep may never be achieved, potentially stunting your child’s growth. Sleep also protects kids from vascular damage and obesity while building up a strong immune system and attention span.

These are critical aspects of a healthy development for your child, and a good night of sleep is responsible for them all. A simple oral appliance can often correct nighttime breathing issues by sliding the jaw forward and allowing the airway to open. Our sleep apnea dentist in 21061 is fully trained in sleep apnea and oral sleep appliances. 

 If you are worried that your child, or anyone in your family could be suffering from sleep apnea, schedule a visit with our sleep apnea dental office in Glen Burnie today.

When you can’t get soothing, natural, uninterrupted sleep, it can affect all aspects of your life. Sleep disorders and a lack of restful sleep can negatively impact your energy levels, concentration, focus, memory, processing skills, even your emotional composure. In short, a lack of sleep can wreak havoc on a person’s physical and emotional well-being, jeopardizing the stability of their personal and professional lives.

Sleep apnea, a condition in which the throat muscles relax during sleep, blocking the

airways and causing a person to intermittently stop breathing, is a unique case of unrestful sleep. This is because it doesn’t just affect the sufferer—who often feels tired even after a full night’s sleep—but also his or her partner. The partner of someone with sleep apnea must endure the loud rumbling rhythms of snoring all night long, in some cases every night of the week. The condition can also influence the relationship itself in a host of complicated ways.

Repressed or Pent-Up Frustration

People with sleep apnea don’t just snore. They breathe heavily, loudly gasp for air, and often wake up throughout the night. Having to endure this auditory roller coaster every single evening is enough to get on anyone’s nerves. Partners of individuals suffering from sleep apnea may feel frustrated that their significant other’s condition is negatively affecting their own sleep and general well-being.

Intimacy

Sleep apnea robs sufferers and their partners of more than just sleep, though. Recent research has shown that it is strongly correlated with sexual and erectile dysfunction. A  study found that of the 401 men it surveyed that had sleep apnea, 70 percent also experienced erectile dysfunction. Another paper, published in the Journal of Sexual Medicine, looked at the sexual functioning of middle-aged women who had sleep apnea and those who didn’t. The researchers found that women with the condition reported much higher levels of sexual dysfunction. That kind of damaged or diminished intimacy can, in turn, put profound strains on the rest of the relationship.

Daily Communications

Our sleep apnea dentist in 21061 shares that people who don’t get restful sleep because of sleep apnea are often fatigued, foggy, and unfocused during the day. This can leave them less than fully present with their significant others, negatively impacting dialogue and lines of communication. If there’s one feature of relationships that almost everyone agrees is absolutely vital, it’s consistent communication.

Our sleep apnea clinic in Glen Burnie, MD can help you overcome sleep apnea and all of its negative effects. Schedule an appointment today to get started.

It is estimated that nearly 22 million Americans suffer from obstructive sleep apnea. Of those millions, only about 20% of them seek out treatment or are even aware that they suffer from it. While sleep apnea can affect anyone, male patients make up over 60% of reported cases. With the increased risk for men, it’s important to know the dangers and why you should get help from our sleep apnea dentist in 21061.

Symptoms

●General Fatigue-

Everyone has sleepy days, but constant, overwhelming fatigue is a common symptom of sleep apnea in men. Irregular breathing patterns during the night can cause poor sleep quality and leave you feeling exhausted during the day.

●Loud Snoring-

Sleep apnea-related snoring is loud, persistent and irregular. You may snore so loudly that you wake yourself up, if your sleeping partner doesn’t wake you first. Silent moments aren’t necessarily any better, as they mean you may not be breathing at all.

●Morning Headaches-

If you find yourself experiencing intense headaches in the morning that fade away as the day goes on, you may be suffering from sleep apnea. As you struggle to breathe during the night, your brain can become starved for oxygen, resulting in a headache. As you resume your normal breathing patterns during the day, your oxygen levels increase and the pain goes away.

Risky Business

Now that we all know some of the symptoms of sleep apnea, it may seem like a minor inconvenience at most. Here are a few major ways that sleep apnea can impact your health.

1. Hypoxia at night is known to cause a decreased testosterone level, low sperm count, and erectile dysfunction.

2. Sleep apnea can increase blood pressure and your risk of heart disease, the number one cause of death for men in the United States.

3. More than 40 percent of people with sleep apnea show symptoms of depression.

None of these dangerous effects should be ignored. Men of every age, regardless of  their health, can experience the symptoms of sleep apnea. Contact our sleep apnea clinic in Glen Burnie, MD to schedule your appointment for a sleep apnea evaluation.