Sleep Apnea And Snoring
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South County Sleep Solutions & Prescott Sleep Solutions
Dental Sleep Medicine located in Newport Beach, CA & Prescott, AZ
Sleep apnea is a chronic disorder that causes loud snoring and disrupts sleep quality. With more than 30 years of experience in dental sleep medicine, Dana Rockey, DMD, invests in the latest technology to treat sleep apnea and snoring, including oral appliance therapy and NightLase® laser therapy. Call the office in Newport Beach, California, or Prescott, Arizona, today or schedule an appointment to find relief from sleep apnea and snoring.
Sleep apnea and snoring Q & A
What are sleep apnea and snoring?
Sleep apnea is a common disorder that can lead to pauses in breathing while you sleep. The most common type, obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), occurs when the muscles that control the tissues in the back of your throat relax. When the muscles relax, the tissues in the throat collapse and block your airways.
While sleep apnea and snoring are separate conditions, they often occur together. Partially obstructed airways can lead to loud snoring. Dr. Rockey performs comprehensive testing to uncover the cause of these conditions and create the appropriate treatment plan for you.
What are the signs of sleep apnea and snoring?
Loud snoring is a telltale sign of sleep apnea. This harsh, hoarse sound can irritate your throat and cause discomfort. Common signs of sleep apnea and snoring include:
- Headaches
- Daytime fatigue
- Sore throat in the morning
- Waking up gasping for air
- Restlessness
- Dry mouth
- Choking on air
- Difficulty concentrating
- Forgetfulness
- Mood swings
These conditions can also interfere with your sleep quality and interpersonal relationships. Loud snoring, gasping for breath, and other common sleep apnea symptoms can keep you and your partner or family up at night. These symptoms even increase your risk of complications, such as hypertension (high blood pressure), heart disease, and stroke.
What causes sleep apnea and snoring?
Sleep apnea and snoring are often the results of underlying medical conditions, diet, and lifestyle habits, such as:
- Older age
- Excess weight
- Opioid use
- Atrial fibrillation
- Congestive heart failure
- Sedentary lifestyle
- Enlarged tonsils
While sleep apnea and snoring can affect anybody, these conditions are prevalent in men over age 50, particularly those with thick necks and excess weight.
What are the treatments for sleep apnea and snoring?
Dr. Rockey offers multiple treatments for sleep apnea and snoring, such as:
Oral appliance therapy
Oral appliance therapy uses dental devices to open your airways. These appliances typically work in one of two ways. They either stabilize your tongue to prevent blockages or shift your jaw forward to stop tissue from collapsing in the back of your throat.
NightLase laser therapy
NightLase is a noninvasive treatment for sleep apnea that uses laser energy to stimulate collagen in the tissues in the back of your throat. Collagen production helps tighten these tissues to prevent them from collapsing.
iNap therapy
iNAP is a sleek, modern sleep apnea treatment that opens your airways without the hassle or visibility of a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machine.
Whole food nutrition
A healthy diet can help accelerate weight loss, reduce sleep apnea symptoms, and improve your health.
If sleep apnea and snoring diminish your sleep quality, don’t hesitate to reach out to Dr. Rockey. Call Dana Rockey, DMD, today or schedule an appointment online to learn more.
