Sleep Apnea is a life-threatening condition affecting an estimated 22 million Americans. It occurs when breathing stops for 10 seconds or more while sleeping. “Apnea” means “without breath” in Greek. These apneas can last from 10 seconds to over a minute and may occur hundreds of times per night.
Signs of Sleep Apnea
- Snoring that disrupts the sleep of others
- Gasping, coughing, or choking when waking up
- Waking up with a racing heart
- Waking up tired after a full night’s sleep
- Morning headaches
- Feeling tired during the day
- Falling asleep unintentionally
- Problems with memory or concentration
- Feeling irritable or short-tempered
- Weight gain
- Acid reflux in adults
- ADHD or bedwetting in children
Sleep Apnea in Children
Sleep-disordered breathing in children can lead to several developmental issues, such as:
- Delayed growth
- Hyperactivity or ADHD
- Bedwetting
- Poor neurological development
- Crowding of teeth
- Prolonged thumb-sucking or pacifier use
Treatment for Adults
The first step is using our home sleep test to evaluate how you sleep in your own bed. For mild to moderate sleep apnea, snoring, or for those unable or unwilling to use a CPAP machine, we offer oral appliance therapy. This is a mouthguard worn during sleep that holds the lower jaw forward, helping to protect the airway.
Treatment for Children
In children, sleep-disordered breathing can lead to developmental problems. Studies estimate that over 50% of children with ADHD have nighttime breathing disorders. To treat these issues, we use cutting-edge orthodontic techniques to stabilize the child’s airway without the need for a CPAP machine. When successful, this can protect their airway for decades to come.
If you are concerned about sleep apnea for yourself or your child, please contact our office today and schedule an appointment. We are here to answer your questions and help you find the right treatment!
