Sleep Apnea

Obstructive sleep apnea is a disorder in which breathing ceases abruptly during sleep. Sleep apnea occurs to different degrees in different individuals, but is universally detrimental to overall health and often indicative of other health problems that require attention. Snoring, disruptive in its own right, can also affect your health and may lead to sleep apnea if not corrected. 

Research has linked sleep apnea to high blood pressure, stroke, drowsiness, heart disease and mood disorders. Apnea reduces the amount of oxygen available to the body, putting a great deal of stress on the body. 

Procedures

The first step is a thorough evaluation to determine the specific cause of the snoring and/or apnea. Through imaging and diagnostic techniques, we will determine the best course of treatment. He works closely with both the sleep clinics and the oral surgeons in coordinating your treatment.

In many cases, snoring or sleep apnea can be remedied through non-surgical means, such as:

• Dental appliances
• Behavioral changes, (such as sleeping on the side rather than the back)
• Diet and exercise
• Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) (which holds the throat open using air pressure)
  

If non-surgical methods are not sufficiently effective, surgical procedures may be considered.