Is your chronic snoring the result of sleep apnea? Not necessarily. It’s estimated that 50 percent of adults snore, but less than half of those people are affected by sleep apnea. So while every obstructive sleep apnea sufferer snores, not all sufferers have sleep apnea. (Kind of like how every square is a rectangle, but not every rectangle is a square.) Let’s take a look at the connection between snoring and sleep apnea in Colorado Springs to help you determine what’s causing your interrupted sleep.
Snoring and Sleep Apnea: What’s the Difference?
July 14, 2016
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Sleep Apnea Therapy in Colorado Springs
January 2, 2016
Good morning! It’s wonderful to wake up refreshed and ready for the day after a good night’s sleep. What’s that you say? You can’t remember the last time you slept well. And neither can the person who sleeps one pillow over from you. If your snoring is keeping both of you up at night, then perhaps the problem is more than that disturbing sound. Snoring is a chief symptom of sleep apnea, a health condition that affects more than 12 million Americans. In Colorado Springs, sleep apnea treatment is available at Anderson Family Dental. With either an oral appliance or CPAP machine, Dr. Anderson can help you and your partner once again enjoy a restful night of sleep.
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For Sleep Apnea Therapy, Colorado Springs Trusts Dr. Anderson
December 22, 2015
If you snore or if the person sleeping one pillow over snores, then neither of you may be getting a restful and rejuvenating night of sleep. But you probably already know that. What you may not know is that snoring can be more than just a noisy nuisance. In some cases, snoring is a sign of a much more serious condition called sleep apnea. However, you cannot simply listen to a snorer and know the difference. A proper diagnosis is required. Dr. Anderson and his team at Anderson Family Dental in Colorado Springs diagnose and treat sleep apnea, so you and your partner can sleep well.
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How Do I Know if I Have Sleep Apnea? OSA Information from Anderson Family Dental
July 9, 2014
Is your sleep often interrupted due to snoring or odd breathing sounds from your partner? Perhaps you suffer from excessive snoring yourself in addition to feelings of exhaustion during the day. At Anderson Family Dental in Colorado Springs, CO, Dr. Erick T. Anderson and Dr. Richard L. Anderson offer a variety of general and family dental solutions to help our patients achieve and maintain optimal health and wellness. One of these services is the treatment of obstructive sleep apnea, or OSA.
Do I Have Sleep Apnea?
Though clinical testing is required in order to definitively diagnose a condition like sleep apnea, there are some warning signs that you can keep in mind and share with your doctor if certain symptoms arise. Common symptoms associated with obstructive sleep apnea include the following:
- Dry mouth or sore throat in the morning
- Worsened depression or irritability
- Excessive daytime fatigue
- Feeling unreasonably drowsy when driving or at work
- Loud snoring, often interrupted by gasps or choking sounds
- Waking suddenly from a deep sleep with a feeling of breathlessness
- Night sweats
- Difficulty concentrating on even simple tasks
- Headaches throughout the day, particularly in the morning
A test that measures your breathing, blood oxygen level, and other factors while you sleep can aid in diagnosing sleep apnea. If it turns out that OSA is the reason for your troubles, our doctors can help. With the use of a customized oral appliance – often called a nightguard or a snore guard – you may be able to alleviate the symptoms of sleep apnea in a way that is easy and comfortable. You simply wear the appliance while you sleep, and it effectively keeps your tongue and jaw in their proper positions throughout the night. This keeps the airway open and unobstructed, and typically helps prevent snoring as well.
Schedule Your Visit Today
If you suffer from sleep apnea or excessive snoring, now is the time to take a step toward a healthier life and more restful sleep. Contact our office in Colorado Springs, CO today to schedule your consultation with Drs. Anderson and Anderson. We look forward to serving you! We also welcome patients from the nearby areas of Black Forest, Fort Carson, Falcon, Stratmoor, and beyond.
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Understanding Sleep Apnea and Treatment in Colorado Springs, CO
March 26, 2014
While many people know that sleep apnea causes loud, disruptive snoring, the underlying causes and potential complications of this disorder are not always so obvious. Treating this common condition with comprehensive sleep apnea therapy at Anderson Family Dental in Colorado Springs, CO can help you avoid serious health complications and improve overall quality of life.
How Can Sleep Apnea Put Me at Risk?
When a patient has obstructive sleep apnea, the soft tissues that comprise the top of the mouth and the throat collapse during sleep, constricting air flow. The noise we know as snoring is caused by vibrations as the patient struggles to breathe while unconscious. The deepest levels of sleep are interrupted, often leaving the individual affected by the disorder feeling exhausted during the day. Other side effects include inability to focus on daily tasks, general irritability, and chronic morning headaches.
Aside from these daily nuisances, sleep apnea can lead to a variety of lesser known health problems. Some of the complications associated with untreated or poorly managed sleep apnea include the following:
- Irregular heartbeat
- Cardiovascular stress
- Coronary artery disease
- Higher risk of stroke and heart attack
- Impotence
- Respiratory failure
- Complications with certain medications
- Frequent nighttime urination
Fortunately, sleep apnea can be controlled with help from your local Colorado Springs, CO dentists. A custom-fitted oral appliance, worn only while you sleep, helps keep your jaw in its proper position and facilitates air flow. Most patients report an improvement after just one night of using their nightguard.
Better Sleep, Healthier Life
If you or someone in your family suffers from sleep apnea and you’re interested in learning how a customized snoreguard can help, contact our office in Colorado Springs, CO today. We also happily welcome families from nearby communities in Falcon, Black Forest, Fort Carson, Stratmoor, and the surrounding areas. Our skilled, compassionate team looks forward to helping you get the restful sleep you deserve with sleep apnea therapy.