What Is Sleep Apnea?
Sleep apnea is a potentially dangerous sleep disorder that leads to repeated interruptions in breathing. Your breathing may start and repeatedly stop throughout the night, leading to loud snoring, exhaustion, and other problems. Most people with sleep apnea don’t know their sleep apnea until they’re informed about the problem by their sleep partners. If you’re suffering from sleep apnea symptoms, you must contact highly-skilled and reliable sleep apnea doctors near me in Houston. Sleep apnea surgery can improve your health and quality of life.
The following are the types of sleep apnea in Houston, TX:
Obstructive Sleep Apnea: This type of sleep apnea occurs when your throat muscles relax while sleeping, leading to breathing problems.
Central Sleep Apnea: This type of sleep apnea occurs when your brain doesn’t send the appropriate signals to your muscles to ensure steady breathing.
Complex Sleep Apnea: This type of sleep apnea occurs because of a combination of obstructive sleep apnea and central sleep apnea.
Below, we describe some of Houston’s most effective sleep apnea treatment options.
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What are sleep apnea treatments near me?
You must contact sleep apnea doctors near me if you notice the signs and symptoms of obstructive sleep apnea or central sleep apnea, such as loud snoring, gasping for air, insomnia, hypersomnia, irritability, headaches, waking up with a dry mouth, and other problems. Loud snoring is one of the tell-tale signs of sleep apnea disorders. The following are some of the most reliable sleep apnea treatments near me in Houston, TX.
CPAP machines for obstructive sleep apnea
CPAP is the ideal medical device for patients with obstructive sleep apnea, the type of sleep apnea where the throat muscles relax, and the soft tissues block the airway. CPAP machines push a steady flow of air through a mask to help you sleep comfortably, preventing your airways from collapsing. This sleep apnea treatment also helps with snoring.
BiPAP machine for sleep apnea in Houston, TX
BiPAP (bi-level positive airway pressure) machines are also meant for patients with obstructive sleep apnea. This device sends air into your throat to keep the airway open but doesn’t provide a steady stream of air. BiPAP machines reduce the air pressure when you’re treating out, which allows you to exhale comfortably.
ASV and other medical devices for sleep apnea treatment near me
ASV (adapto servo ventilation machine) is a medical sleep apnea treatment that adjusts the airflow according to your breathing pattern. Meanwhile, the VPAP (variable positive airway pressure machine) provides different volumes and levels of airflow. Different types of sleep apnea machines use different types of airflow — the ideal machine depends on the user.
Oral appliances for sleep apnea treatment in Houston, TX
Sleep apnea machines can feel uncomfortable, especially because they’re worn for extended periods. Some patients prefer oral appliance sleep apnea or mandibular advancement devices. These sleep apnea dental appliances bring your jaw forward to open your airway, allowing you to breathe comfortably at night. Some sleep apnea oral appliances hold your tongue in position. Our sleep apnea doctors custom-design the oral appliances according to your oral anatomy to ensure optimal breathing.
Lifestyle changes for obstructive sleep apnea:
- Weight Loss: Sometimes, excess fat deposits in the upper airway can also lead to limited airflow and the symptoms of sleep apnea. As such, weight loss, exercise, and diet management can alleviate the symptoms of obstructive sleep apnea.
- Nasal Decongestants: Some patients use nasal decongestants to open up their airways and prevent snoring. You may also try breathing strips, but they offer limited success.
- Change Sleep Position: Patients who sleep on their backs are more likely to snore and experience the symptoms of obstructive sleep apnea. Sleeping on your side helps keep your airway open, thus minimizing the symptoms of sleep apnea. Positional therapy can help you sleep on your side instead of the back.
- Alcohol Reduction: Excessive alcohol consumption can narrow your airways and lead to increased symptoms of sleep apnea. You should minimize your alcohol consumption and avoid drinks before bedtime to alleviate the symptoms.
- Exercise: Numerous studies have shown that regular exercise can also alleviate the symptoms of sleep apnea in Houston, Texas.
If you have sleep apnea, you should avoid alcohol — alcohol consumption is linked to sleep apnea symptoms. You should also avoid foods with saturated fats, such as bacon, lamb, sausages, burgers, and steaks. Excessive consumption of foods with high saturated fat leads to cardiovascular issues, which can increase the risk of sleep apnea. You should also avoid sleeping on your back, which can lead to narrowing your airways.
Sleep apnea in Houston is a medical condition wherein you repeatedly stop breathing in the middle of the night. Sleep apnea can happen quickly and generally lead to a pause in breathing for 20 seconds or more. The temporary stop in breathing can happen up to 400 times per night.
Polysomnography is one of the most reliable tests for sleep apnea. During this test, you are connected to equipment that monitors your breathing patterns, leg movements, brain activity, and lung activity. Depending on your brain activity and the number of times you stop breathing at night, your sleep apnea doctor near me in Houston can diagnose the type and severity of sleep apnea.
Call to schedule an appointment at 346-512-4902
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Schedule an appointment with sleep apnea doctors near me in Houston, TX
URBN Dental is a state-of-the-art dental clinic led by a sleep apnea doctors near me, specializing in the latest and safest sleep apnea treatments in Houston. Our sleep apnea dentists use the latest diagnostic tools and oral appliances to address the root cause of sleep apnea. You can find our sleep apnea doctors near me at Uptown Houston, a short drive from the Galleria shopping mall. Please schedule an appointment with sleep apnea doctors near me in Houston.