Sleep Apnea Therapy – Midland, TX

What Causes Sleep Apnea?

There are two forms of sleep apnea. One is neurologically based, but the far more common form is called obstructive sleep apnea. In this case, tissue in your throat as well as your tongue relaxes just like the rest of your body and has a tendency to fall back further into your throat. As a result, your airway becomes partially or even fully blocked. When you try to breathe, air vibrates this tissue causing the most common side effect of sleep apnea—loud snoring.

Signs & Symptoms of Sleep Apnea

In addition to loud snoring, the other signs and symptoms of sleep apnea include:

• Morning headaches
• Difficulty concentrating during the day
• Memory problems
• A sore throat or dry mouth when you awaken
• Frequently needing to urinate during the night
• Irritability and moodiness

Health Problems Linked to Sleep Apnea

As if the symptoms of sleep apnea weren't troublesome enough, this is a condition that can also lead to a number of systemic illnesses and diseases. Solid research has drawn a connection between sleep apnea and high blood pressure, stroke, heart disease, diabetes and depression. Thus, for the sake of getting a good night of sleep and avoiding general health problems, treating sleep apnea is imperative.

Treating Sleep Apnea in Midland, TX

If you are experiencing any of the signs and symptoms of sleep apnea, your physician can arrange a sleep test. If the results show that you do have sleep apnea, your physician will prescribe a CPAP machine. But if your test results show that your problem is snoring, then Dr. Drisdale can prescribe a custom-fabricated oral appliance called a snoreguard. Made of smooth plastic, the snoreguard gently shifts your lower jaw forward in order to keep your tongue and other throat tissue from blocking your airway. You’ll breathe more freely, so you and the person sleeping next to you will be able to get a peaceful night’s sleep.