Do you have sleep apnea? Sleep apnea is a serious medical disorder in which breathing repeatedly starts and stops throughout the night, 
creating a myriad of health problems along the way. However, sleep apnea is treatable, and the dental experts at PearlFection Dentistry, located in Frederick and Urbana, MD, can help you! Read on to learn more.
About Sleep Apnea
In obstructive sleep apnea, the upper airway becomes blocked repeatedly during sleep, causing a stoppage or reduction in airflow. Each pause in breathing can last for a few seconds to a few minutes and may occur up to 30 times or more during sleep.
Causes of Sleep Apnea
Sleep apnea affects people of all ages, even children. Obesity is one of the most common causes of sleep apnea along with other factors including consuming alcohol, having certain illnesses, and taking medications. Other risk factors for sleep apnea include being over age 40 as well as having a family history of sleep apnea and nasal obstruction.
Symptoms of Sleep Apnea
Common symptoms of sleep apnea include pauses in breathing, loud snoring, gasping sounds, insomnia, daytime sleepiness, fatigue, morning headaches. People with sleep apnea may also experience irritability, memory loss, decreased sexual desire, and nocturia (waking during the night to go to the bathroom).
Sleep Apnea Treatments
For a mild case of sleep apnea, your dentist may recommend lifestyle changes, such as losing weight or avoiding alcohol. Sleep apnea is also treated with oral appliance therapy. This oral appliance repositions the jaw during sleep, improving airflow and reducing your symptoms, helping to give you a good night's rest. Untreated sleep apnea can lead to serious complications such as glaucoma, diabetes, heart attack, stroke, and cognitive disorders.
You can stop sleep apnea today. Call PearlFection Dentistry at (301) 831-8303 for the Urbana office, and (301) 663-5550 for the Frederick location. Effective treatment of sleep apnea improves quality of life and improves psychological and physical health. You will experience exemplary service and world-class care thanks to our general, cosmetic and restorative dentists Dr. Jared Lawson, Dr. EJ Stringer, Dr. Tammira Badakhshan, and Dr. Nikta Pashai, periodontist Dr. Ashley Seals, prosthodontist Dr. Amos Chi, oral surgeon Dr. Brian Chang, endodontist Dr. Pratik Patel and orthodontist Dr. Stephen Tigani. Serving the Hagerstown and Germantown, MD, areas, and also conveniently located only 45 minutes away from Washington DC and Baltimore.