Do you often wake feeling tired despite sleeping all night? Maybe your spouse is constantly poking you at night because you snore loudly? If this sounds familiar, it may be time to visit a doctor at your local sleep center in Las Vegas to be evaluated for sleep apnea. This is a sleep disorder that affects roughly 5 to 20% of the adult population; however, it is estimated that as much as one-third of those with the condition remain undiagnosed. To protect your overall health and quality of life, it is important to seek treatment right away.
Do I Need to See a Doctor?
Sleep apnea is most often due to an obstruction in the airway that causes the passages to collapse. As a result, there are numerous pauses in breathing that occur frequently throughout the night. Each event can last for a minute or longer. While many often believe that the only complication of the disorder is daytime fatigue and chronic snoring, the complications can be quite severe—even life threatening.
The pauses in breathing place a significant strain on your heart from depleted oxygen levels, increasing your risk for cardiovascular disease. As a result, you can suffer from a heart attack or stroke. Not to mention, your quality of life will quickly decline.
The lack of quality sleep will lead to mood swings, depression, and an overall sense of fatigue. However, over time, sleep deprivation can set in. If this occurs, your cognitive abilities will start to decrease. As a result, you suffer an increased risk for auto and workplace accidents.
How Can Doctor Help Me?
If you suspect that you have the disorder, you will be scheduled for a sleep study. This involves wearing special equipment while you sleep to measure your oxygen levels. Using the information gathered from the study, a diagnosis can be given to start sleep apnea therapy in Las Vegas.
In the past, treatment often involved the use of a CPAP machine. This delivers a stream of air through a mask that is worn over the mouth or nose to keep the airways open. While this is an effective option and is still recommended in some cases, now there is an alternative solution.
Often, an oral appliance is suggested. This is a custom-fit device that is similar to a mouthguard. However, instead of protecting the teeth, it repositions the jaw forward to keep the airways open. By doing so, pauses in breathing are prevented to protect your health and quality of life.
Sleep Soundly with the Right Treatment
If you have symptoms of sleep apnea, it is best not to wait for treatment. Contact your doctor right away to schedule a sleep study.
About Dr. Pamela West
Dr. Pamela West not only provides comprehensive dental services, but is specially trained to evaluate issues involving the mouth, like sleep apnea. She has advanced qualifications in the positioning of the jaw and the use of oral appliances to effectively treat the condition. If you suspect that you have the disorder, contact iSleep Solutions today to schedule a consultation.