Sleep Apnea Treatment - Hagerstown, MD
Improve Your Sleep Quality and
Life with Sleep Apnea Therapy
Easy Breathing and Restful Sleep
for a Healthier You
Most people are unaware they’re experiencing issues breathing while asleep and when they do, can’t judge the severity of their problem. In fact, it’s often a bed partner that detects the problem because they suffer from sleepless nights as a result. Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is by far the most common sleep-related breathing disorder among the three types, affecting nearly 30 million adults in the U.S. If you snore loudly, suffer from insomnia, and/or feel tired, stressed, or moody during the day, sleep apnea treatment in Hagerstown, MD may be the solution to get your health back on track.
Sleep Apnea Causes
and Risk Factors
Most of the time, OSA is caused by blockage of the airway due to collapsed tissues from the roof of the throat. Studies suggest up to 98% of patients with OSA have an underdeveloped mouth and jaw. Obesity is the number one risk factor because it can lead to fat deposits in the neck and around the tongue and palate that make the airway tighter and smaller. Large tonsils or adenoids and smaller airways can contribute to disordered breathing, especially among children. In addition, jaw misalignment and or genetic factors can lead to a facial structure imbalance that forces the tongue to sit further back in the mouth, thereby causing sleep apnea.
What Happens During
Sleep Apnea Episodes?
The muscles that support the soft tissues in your throat (e.g., your tongue and soft palate) temporarily relax. When these muscles relax, the airway narrows or completely closes, thereby momentarily cutting off your breathing. This airway obstruction causes most people to awaken, engage muscles in their throat and take several gasps or deep breaths. These breathing interruptions may temporarily minimize the supply of oxygen to your brain. Loud snoring often punctuated by gasping or choking sounds, grinding teeth during sleep (bruxism), periods of nighttime wakefulness, and an increased need to get up to urinate can negatively impact the ability to get adequate sleep—for both you and your partner.
Common OSA Symptoms
- Loud snoring
- Gasping for air while asleep
- Grinding teeth or clenching of the jaw
- Morning headaches and dry mouth
- Excessive daytime sleepiness and irritability
Whole Body Repercussions
of Sleep Apnea
Sleep allows both your body and brain to recover during the night. When left untreated, sleep apnea can impact your mental and physical health. A 2020 research study showed an association between OSA and anxiety and depression. A sudden drop in blood oxygen levels can put extra stress on your heart, leading to high blood pressure and/or an increased risk of heart attack or stroke. Sleep apnea also interferes with the metabolic process, which can lead to obesity. Because many people with sleep apnea are already overweight, this can create a vicious cycle that makes it hard to lose weight. In addition, sleep apnea interferes with the regulation of blood sugar levels, thereby increasing the risk of type 2 diabetes.
Sleep Apnea
Diagnosis
At Smile Design Centre, we take OSA treatment seriously. Our diagnostic process begins with a complimentary screening using the latest diagnostic technology to assess your sleep history, health patterns, and even the presence of temporomandibular joint disorder. Prior to at-home testing or administering any treatment, we’ll check to see if your insurance plan covers sleep apnea treatment in Hagerstown, MD. If you’re unaware that you have sleep apnea, Dr. Taimour Raja will fit you with a unique and convenient at-home system to help confirm an initial diagnosis. The device is worn while you sleep and collects data that we share with a sleep medicine physician to determine if OSA is the underlying cause of your symptoms.