Sleep Apnea Treatment
in New Lenox, IL

Do you sometimes wake yourself up in the middle of the night from snoring? Do you feel fatigued and irritable throughout the day? This could be a sign that you’re experiencing sleep apnea, a disorder that disrupts your breathing while you sleep. American Sleep Apnea Association states that approximately 22 million Americans suffer from sleep apnea. Without treatment, sleep apnea can lead to high blood pressure, heart failure, stroke, and other cardiovascular problems.

If you’re currently suffering with obstructive sleep apnea, call our dental office at (815) 462-4838.

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Sleepy Man In Bed

What Causes Sleep Apnea?

So what exactly happens when you have sleep apnea? Essentially, it’s when your breathing repeatedly stops, then starts again, while you’re sleeping. This can be caused by several factors, including:

  • Anatomy - The natural position of your neck, tongue, jaw, and tonsils can affect airflow
  • Sleeping on your back - Tissues are more likely to collapse around your airway and obstruct your breathing
  • Congestion - You’re more at risk for sleep apnea if you are unable to breathe through your nose
  • Alcohol or sedative consumption - Both can cause your throat to relax, which increases the risk of airway obstruction
  • Obesity - One of the primary causes of sleep apnea is obesity, which narrows the airway

Sleep apnea is a serious condition that can lead to various physical, mental, and emotional problems, including an increased risk for high blood pressure, heart disease, and stroke.

Man Snores At Night

Sleep Apnea Symptoms

A physician can help you determine whether your snoring and difficulty sleeping is due to sleep apnea, or something else.

The most common sleep apnea symptoms include:

  • Loud, frequent snoring
  • Daytime fatigue
  • Long, silent pauses in your breathing
  • Making gasping/choking sounds while asleep
  • Morning headaches
  • Waking up in the middle of the night
  • Having trouble concentrating
  • Irritability

How Can My Dentist Provide Sleep Apnea Treatment?

Together with the your diagnosing physician, our New Lenox, IL dental team can help you control your snoring and sleep apnea with the aid of an oral appliance custom-made just for you. Oral appliance therapy involves the use of a mouth device (similar in appearance to a traditional mouth guard) that gently moves the lower jaw into a more forward and slightly downward position to help open your airway and improve airflow while you sleep. This device can make a big difference for individuals with less severe sleep apnea, but if your condition is particularly serious, you will likely need a CPAP machine.

Be sure to consult with a board-certified physician to get an accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment recommendations to improve your quality of life. If your physician recommends oral appliance therapy, be sure to give us a call at (815) 462-4838!