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Personalized Sleep Apnea Treatment in Tigard

Restful sleep is essential for your mental, physical, and emotional health. When slumber is continuously interrupted, keeping up with daily life can become almost impossible. Sleep apnea is a recognized sleep disorder. While common, it can often become a serious issue that can lead to complications involving your oral and general health.

At Washington Square Dental, we believe you and your family deserve sound, uninterrupted sleep that promotes your well-being and overall quality of life. Dr. Shahin Rashidi, Dr. Pari Samani, and our team provide sleep apnea treatment through custom appliances and more. Don’t wait until restless sleep becomes a serious problem - contact our Tigard dental office today to schedule a consultation and begin treatment!

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What is Sleep Apnea Exactly?

Sleep apnea is a condition in which your breathing stops sporadically during sleep, sometimes as many as 20-30 times per hour. Each time you stop breathing, the lack of oxygen sends alerts to your brain, temporarily waking you up to restart proper breathing. Since the times spent awake are so brief, it’s likely you won’t remember.

Sleep apnea is challenging to notice because those who have it often assume they are getting a good night's rest when the opposite is true. This constant cycle of being woken up from sleep prevents you from achieving deep sleep, which can result in persistent drowsiness throughout the day.

Are There Different Types of Sleep Apnea?

Yes. There are three known types of sleep apnea. They include:

1. Obstructive Sleep Apnea: This is the most common type of sleep apnea. It occurs when the back muscles of your throat relax so much that they narrow the airways as you breathe or block them altogether. As this happens, you’re unable to get enough air, which can lower oxygen levels in your blood and brain. As your brain struggles to get more air, it causes you to wake up briefly, so you can try and reopen your airways.

2. Central Sleep Apnea or (CSA): When your brain can’t signal to the muscles responsible for controlling your breathing correctly, it’s known as central sleep apnea. Unlike obstructive sleep apnea, which is an airway blockage issue, CSA is a communication problem between your muscles and your brain. This type of sleep apnea is less common, often resulting from pre-existing medical conditions.

3. Mixed or ‘Complex” Sleep Apnea: This is a combination of central and obstructive sleep apnea. Symptoms vary, and some believed to have obstructive sleep apnea may actually have this type of sleep apnea.

Who is at Risk for Sleep Apnea?

Common forms of sleep apnea are more typical in men than in women. This sleep disorder is also common in adults 40 years and older. However, anyone can suffer from sleep apnea, regardless of age or gender. Factors that can increase your risk include smoking, excessive drinking, obesity, genetics, and taking certain medications. Central sleep apnea often develops in individuals with heart conditions or who have had brain tumors or a stroke.

Treating Sleep Apnea at Washington Square Dental

At Washington Square Dental, we address sleep apnea in different ways depending on your situation. Once diagnosed, your sleep apnea dentist informs you about your condition and how to go about treatment. When an oral appliance is recommended, he or she refers you to our office. Our dentists work with you to go over treatment details, including which type of device you need, the cost, and insurance coverage. When you’re ready to continue, we create an oral appliance completely customized to you.

When you know you have sleep apnea and have tried a CPAP machine but aren't sure whether it’s the most effective treatment for you, we can help! Our dentists can provide a sleep test designed by professionals who analyze how the condition affects you from the results of three nights of sleep. We upload your results and determine which sleep device or appliance will be most effective for your specific case.

How Can I Know if I Have Sleep Apnea?

While the condition can be challenging to detect, the following are common signs that indicate that you may have sleep apnea. If you notice one or more of these, contact our dental office.

Insomnia or difficulty staying asleep
Loud snoring or breathing during sleep
Shortness of breath during sleep
Choking or snorting sounds while asleep
Waking up with headaches
Persistent drowsiness throughout the day
Difficulty concentrating or performing regular tasks

How Can Sleep Apnea Affect Overall Health?

Sleep apnea can include more than loud snoring and days filled with drowsiness. When left untreated, this sleep disorder can lead to serious complications involving your physical health. Sleep apnea can influence your overall well-being, including the worsening of asthma symptoms, increased insulin levels, and developing type 2 diabetes. Other complications linked to severe sleep apnea include high blood pressure, acid reflux, and digestion issues.

If you suspect you may have sleep apnea, we encourage you to contact our team. Prompt care allows our dentists to address your condition, answer your questions, and begin proper treatment.

Treat Your Sleep Apnea Today!

At Washington Square Dental, we’re committed to helping you and your loved ones achieve better health through sleep apnea treatment. Dr. Shahin Rashidi, Dr. Pari Samani, and our team want to help you enjoy restful sleep. We proudly serve individuals and their families across Tigard. For more information about our sleep apnea treatments, contact us today.