Sleep Apnea Treatment Options

If you persistently experience heavy snoring at night, you could be suffering from sleep apnea, a disorder that interrupts your sleep. Dr. Jeremy McConnell of Florida Sleep Specialists can help you manage your sleep apnea in Bradenton, and Sarasota, FL.

What Is Sleep Apnea in Bradenton, and Sarasota, FL?

Sleep Apnea is a serious sleep disorder that happens when a person’s breathing is interrupted during the night. This can happen several times per hour, which affects your quality of sleep and leaves you feeling tired throughout the day.

What Causes Sleep Apnea?

Obstructive sleep apnea is caused by something blocking the airway, usually when the soft tissue in the roof of the throat collapses while you sleep. Central sleep apnea, on the other hand, is usually observed in patients with central nervous system problems that cause breathing to stop for a few seconds.

Treatment Options

Sleep apnea treatment can vastly improve your quality of sleep and help you avoid the serious health risks associated with sleep apnea. Without treatment, you are at a higher risk of stroke and heart attack. The treatment options focus on keeping you breathing throughout the night. The treatment options for sleep apnea are:

  • Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy is the main treatment for moderate to severe sleep apnea. A CPAP machine consists of a mask that lets out air to gently keep the airways open.
  • For milder forms of sleep apnea, a dentist can provide you with an oral appliance called a mandibular repositioning device (MRD). This device looks like a mouthguard and is custom-made to fit over your teeth. It will hold the jaw in a position that doesn’t obstruct the airway while you sleep.
  • The most severe forms of sleep apnea may require surgical intervention. During the surgery, your doctor will remove any obstructing tissue like enlarged tonsils to keep the airway clear.

To learn more about sleep apnea in Bradenton, and Sarasota, FL, contact Dr. McConnell of Florida Sleep Specialists. You can schedule an appointment at one of our convenient locations by calling 941-792-8383 or 941-827-0701.