
Had a full 8-hour of sleep and still feel tired, drowsy or headachy? Feeling irritable and not even know why?
Sleep apnea is serious. We all need sleep, but restful sleep is hard to come by. Even when we are fortunate enough to get a full 8 hours of sleep, we can still feel restless and agitated.
What is Sleep Apnea?
Sleep apnea is when you stop breathing for 10 or more seconds multiple times throughout the night, most commonly people don't realize they're doing it.
There are many reasons why someone could be sleep apneic. A collapsed airway (body not receiving oxygen), or poor circulation (brain and the rest of the body not getting enough blood). Over a long period of time, this can cause many illnesses as your body is not properly getting the rest that it needs during sleep. Being irritable, agitated, and have headaches are symptoms that we can feel, but there can be greater problems developing that we may not even know about. Which is why getting tested and treated for sleep apnea is extremely important.
These characteristics of people are often more at risk of getting sleep apnea:
-
Men
-
40+ years old
-
Excess weight
-
Smokers
-
Large tonsils, small jaw
-
A family history of sleep apnea
Virtually anyone can be sleep apneic and its best to get a test to find out if you are or not.
COMMON SIGNS/SYMPTOMS OF SLEEP APNEA
-
Frequently waking up in the middle of the night to use the restroom.
-
Headaches/migraines and having a sore throat in the morning
-
Daytime sleepiness or fatigue and difficulty concentrating
-
Loud snoring that disturbs your partner
CPAP Machine
A CPAP (Continuous Positive Airway Pressure) machine is considered the gold standard for relieving severe sleep apnea symptoms and a good alternative to invasive surgery.
The CPAP is placed on your face and worn only at night prior to sleeping. This device gently shifts your jaw forward to allow your airway to open up allowing more circulation.
We have come a long way from how CPAP machines used to be. Modern-day CPAP machines are much quieter and much more comfortable.


Oral Appliance
If your jaw alignment is to blame for your obstructed airway, we may recommend a custom-fit oral appliance.
For mild to moderate cases of sleep apnea, an oral appliance can be worn at night. This custom fit oral appliance is similar to a nightguard, however, it gently repositions your jaw forward, moving the tongue away from the back of your throat and allowing you to breathe much more freely. This is an effective method to help give you that restful that you need.
You will instantly start to notice that even sleep for less than 8 hours, feels restful.
See How Sleep Can Help You Smile Again
Call Cascadia Smiles, to find out which option is best for you.
“If you're looking for a dentist in seattle, and your core values include immaculate personal service and quality, then make an appointment with Dr. Behfar Osafi."
— Diane C.
AS SEEN ON



Don't Let Restless Sleep Affect Your Quality of Life
Dr. Osafi is here to help you sleep restfully again.
Contact us at (206) 741-1700
OVER 100 5-STAR REVIEWS





Our Seattle Dental Office
