Sleep apnea and TMJ treatments in Ottawa, ON
Improve Your Sleep and Health
Getting a good night’s sleep is essential to keeping your body functioning properly. Your brain, body, and overall wellness rely heavily on this restful period. it’s interrupted, the body doesn’t get the time it needs to recuperate. Patients who suffer from sleep apnea have their sleep repeatedly interrupted through the night. These consistent and frequent interruptions put a strain on your brain and body, which can lead to a host of physical and mental health problems.
At Ottawa TMJ & Sleep Apnea clinic, we’ll work with you to help you reclaim both your health and a peaceful night’s rest. Read on to explore the relationship between sleep apnea and your health.
What Is Sleep Apnea?
Sleep apnea is a medical condition that causes you to stop and start breathing frequently throughout the night. The continuous loss of oxygen has been linked to immediate and long-term health consequences.
When the quality of your sleep declines, not only are your immune system and internal organs in jeopardy but so are your interpersonal relationships. Dr. Dahan’s goal is to help manage your sleep apnea symptoms so that you can get the quality sleep you need and deserve.
Sleep Apnea Symptoms
There are some sleep apnea symptoms that pose as warning signs and may indicate that you or a loved one should seek help.
These include:
These include:
- Loud or frequent snoring
- Gasping for air when sleeping
- Insomnia
- Excessive daytime sleepiness
- Headaches upon awakening
- Dry mouth in the morning
- Sore throat upon awakening
- Lack of energy
- Depression
- Irritability
- Frequent urination at night
- Difficulty concentrating during the day
Snoring and nighttime gasping are usually only reported by a bedmate, so it’s essential to recognize and pay attention to the other symptoms of sleep apnea. Seeking help immediately can help prevent more serious health implications.
If you’re experiencing these symptoms, it’s important to schedule a consultation with Dr. Dahan by calling our Ottawa office at (613) 454-1854. During the consultation, he’ll listen to your reported symptoms, examine your mouth and throat, and determine if you’ll benefit from an at-home sleep test.
The Impact on Your Health
The repeated loss of oxygen throughout the night as a result of sleep apnea can be detrimental to your health. Your organs and internal systems need oxygen to function properly. If left untreated, sleep apnea can lead to serious health consequences, such as:
- Heart disease
- Stroke
- Alzheimer’s disease
- Type 2 diabetes
- Obesity
- Certain cancers
- High blood pressure
- Memory loss
- Cognitive dysfunction
In addition to long-term consequences, chronic sleep deprivation can exacerbate other medical conditions such as anxiety, depression, asthma, ADHD, and PTSD, as well as put a strain on your relationships. Sleep apnea also can negatively impact pregnant patients as well. Fortunately, these complications may be resolved with proper treatment.
Treating Sleep Apnea
Treatment for sleep apnea is simple and can be initiated within a few steps:
- Schedule a consultation with Dr. Dahan, where he’ll assess your symptoms and examine your oral health to determine if you’ll benefit from a sleep test.
- Undergo a sleep test to determine whether or not you have sleep apnea.
- If diagnosed with sleep apnea, we can explain your treatment options, including the use of a customized oral dental appliance.
Beginning the path to a good night’s rest is only the start. Once your body gets the oxygen it needs throughout the night, you may start to see other areas of your life improve.
Diagnosing Sleep Apnea
If you’ve experienced consistent daytime fatigue or find it difficult to function during the day, it may indicate that the quality of your sleep has declined due to sleep apnea.
Before we can create your treatment plan, we’ll need to conduct a sleep study. At Ottawa TMJ & Sleep Apnea Clinic, we provide an at-home sleep test so that you can monitor the quality of your sleep from the comfort of your own home.
Once we have the results of your sleep study, Dr. Dahan will work with you to create a custom treatment plan to manage and alleviate your sleep apnea symptoms.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are there any risk factors associated with sleep apnea?
Are there any natural ways to treat sleep apnea?
Is occasional sleep apnea normal?
Can sleep apnea be cured?
Are there any risk factors associated with sleep apnea?
Yes, there are some risk factors associated with sleep apnea. Some of these risks include::
- Obesity
- Having a narrowed airway
- Being male
- Old age
- Using alcohol or sedatives
- Using tobacco
- Having a family history of sleep apnea
Many people assume that sleep apnea will only affect people with these characteristics. However, all types of patients have been treated with this sleep disorder, including babies and children.
Are there any natural ways to treat sleep apnea?
Yes, there are a few natural remedies that can help treat sleep apnea. However, they may need to be used in combination with proven treatment methods to be effective. Natural treatment methods include:
- Maintain a healthy weight
- Exercise regularly
- Avoid alcohol and tobacco
- Refrain from the use of sedatives
- Adjust your sleep position
- Use a humidifier
Dr. Dahan may recommend combining natural remedies with proven treatments for a more effective outcome.
Is occasional sleep apnea normal?
If you’re suffering from a mild form of sleep apnea, you should still seek professional treatment. Sleep apnea is classified by severity.
- Mild sleep apnea is characterized by less than 15 interruptions per hour.
- Moderate severity includes 15 to 30 events per hour.
- Severe sleep apnea consists of greater than 30 events in an hour.
The loss of oxygen during sleep can lead to severe health complications and should be taken seriously. Seeking immediate treatment can help improve your overall well-being, reverse the effects of sleep apnea, and boost your quality of life.
Can sleep apnea be cured?
The only way to fully cure sleep apnea is by undergoing surgery. Since the surgery is invasive, it’s usually a last resort. There are other effective treatments available to consider before surgery is even an option. If you’re living with sleep apnea, schedule a consultation with Dr. Dahan at our Ottawa office by calling (613) 454-1854.
Your consultation with Dr. Dahan will consist of a mouth and throat examination, along with reviewing your symptoms to determine if you’d benefit from a sleep study. If you’re diagnosed with sleep apnea, we can begin treatment right away.
Restful Nights Await
When you get the quality of sleep you need, you’ll feel ready to take on your day with vim and vigor. Seeking treatment can improve all aspects of your life, beginning with your health. If you’d like to learn more about how sleep apnea impacts your health or if you’re ready to schedule a consultation with Dr. Dahan, give our Ottawa office a call at (613) 454-1854 or fill out our contact form.