Tag: sleep apnea frisco tx

Tired All the Time?

Posted on by MillenSmiles_aDmEEN

Do you wake up feeling refreshed and well-rested in the morning? Or, do you wake up feeling like a member of The Walking Dead and that you got no rest at all despite sleeping for several hours? If you are struggling to keep your eyes during the day, you may be living with undiagnosed sleep apnea, a serious, chronic health condition that does not just impact your sleep but can also lead to diabetes, heart disease, and other serious health issues.

What Causes Sleep Apnea?

There are a variety of causes, but most commonly, the airway is blocked by the tonsils, adenoids, and/or tongue during sleep.

Here’s how you can tell you may have sleep apnea and how Millennium Smiles can help:

Eight Signs You Could Have Sleep Apnea

1. You snore a lot. Snoring is probably the most well-known symptom of sleep apnea, with pauses throughout the night.

2. Choking or gasping. If you wake up gasping for air or your partner says you stop breathing, you could be living with sleep apnea.

3. Feeling tired despite “getting enough sleep”. If you’re going to bed at a reasonable hour and waking up still tired and sluggish.

4. Unexplained lack of energy. It’s okay to be lazy or relax at times, but if you’re always tired and lack the energy to do things you want to do or need to do, you may be living with undiagnosed sleep apnea.

5. Frequently waking up with a sore throat or dry throat. How does this relate to sleep apnea? When your mouth is open because you cannot breathe, it dries out your throat.

6. Waking up with headaches. Do you wake up with a headache? Around your sinuses or temples? It could be because of sleep apnea-related tooth clenching (another fun side effect of the condition).

7. Lack of focus. Many people with undiagnosed sleep apnea complain about difficulty concentrating on tasks throughout the day. They also often report having difficulty remembering things. Why? Sleep apnea prevents your brain from getting enough oxygen and causes the blood-brain barrier of the brain to degrade, which affects both memory and cognition.

8. Irritability. Are you cranky? Of course, you are – you are exhausted, not getting good sleep, and missing out on critical oxygen! That would make us cranky, too.

So, Millennium Smiles Can Help with Sleep Apnea?

Yes, we can! Using state-of-the-art appliance therapy, we can help to open the airway, which reduces the interruptions in your sleep and allows you to feel rested. Find out why appliance therapy is beneficial compared to conventional treatment methods such as a CPAP machine or surgery. Call us now for more information at 972-987-4899.

Know The Signs of Sleep Apnea

Posted on by MillenSmiles_aDmEEN

Getting a full night of sleep is one of the best things you can do for your health. Many people suffer from disrupted sleep due to a condition called obstructive sleep apnea. Obstructive Sleep Apnea is more than a nightly disturbance for you or your partner. Sleep apnea has been linked to serious systemic medical conditions such as heart disease and diabetes. If you believe you are suffering from OSA, it is important to visit Dr. Dunia Korus at our Frisco dentist office.

What is Obstructive Sleep Apnea

Obstructive Sleep Apnea is the more common type of sleep apnea. This form of sleep apnea is caused by the relaxing of the throat muscle. While you sleep, the throat muscle relaxes and blocks the airway and stops your breathing momentarily. Many patients will wake up repeatedly in the night, snoring or gasping for air, often resulting in inconsistent sleep patterns.

How Do I Know If I Have OSA?

There are many risk factors and signs and symptoms that may indicate you or your partner are suffering from OSA. Although OSA is most prevalent amongst male patients, it can also affect females. Patients who are overweight, smoke, or have high blood pressure may also be at higher risk for sleep apnea. Another common factor in patients with OSA is a large neck circumference. .

If you suffer from OSA you may experiences some of the following symptom:

  • Felling continuously tired
  • Dry Mouth
  • Snoring
  • Headaches
  • Difficulty staying focused
  • Waking suddenly out of breath during the night

Treatment Options For Sleep Apnea

It is important to know that sleep apnea affects more than just your sleep. For patients with existing cardiovascular disease or diabetes, OSA can be a serious health condition that should be addressed by as soon as possible. Dr. Korous will consult with your medical physician to offer you a comprehensive diagnosis and treatment plan. Dr. Korous is highly trained and experienced in the specific structures and tissues that make up the mouth and throat affected by OSA.

After an individualized oral health check-up and physical exam, Dr. Korous will help to develop a treatment plan that will help you meet your optimal health. Dr. Korous offers oral appliance therapy. For mild to moderate sleep apnea, this custom-fit mouthpiece can reposition the jaw and /or tongue to prevent the throat tissue from closing. Much like a mouthguard, the sleep apnea mouthpiece will be custom molded to your mouth for comfort and ease of wear.

Schedule An Appointment

To find out what treatment is right for your specific oral health needs, contact our Frisco dental office, Millennium Smiles. Our friendly and experienced staff will help to answer your questions and schedule your individual consultation with Dr. Korous.

We Have Treatment Solutions For Snoring and Sleep Apnea

Posted on by MillenSmiles_aDmEEN

In addition to offering comprehensive dental care, your Frisco family dentist is also dedicated to helping you enjoy the best possible quality of life. We offer treatment options for patients who suffer from snoring or a sleep disorder, including obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).

Often a sign of a sleep disorder, snoring can keep you from getting a good night’s rest and result in both health risks and symptoms that can affect your daily life. Our amazing staff will work with you and coordinate any necessary diagnostic sleep studies with your general physician to determine the cause of your snoring and best possible treatment options. OSA can be a life-threatening disorder if it is untreated, greatly increasing your risk for stroke, heart attack, and other major health concerns.

Are You At Risk For OSA?

Understanding and recognizing the common risk factors for sleep apnea is important- seeking early treatment can have the best results and avoid other complications. For many patients, lifestyle changes can alleviate symptoms and improve overall health. Other common risk factors include:

  • Being overweight or obese
  • Having a larger neck circumference
  • Being a smoker
  • Having high blood pressure

OSA is also more common in men than women, especially those over 40 or has a family history of sleep disorders. If you are concerned that you may be at risk for OSA, speak with your dentist about it to ensure that you are evaluated and treated if necessary. We offer treatment for sleep apnea and snoring that is comfortable and effective.

What Is Oral Appliance Therapy?

We can make a custom fir sleep appliance that has been proven effective in treating patients diagnosed with a mild to moderate sleep disorder, including OSA. This oral appliance will fit much like a sports mouth guard and will serve to position the jaw and/or tongue to maintain an open airway and relieve your symptoms.

Oral appliance therapy is an alternative to the CPAP, one that patients are more likely to comply with due to the ease of use and convenience. Daily prescribed use of your sleep appliance is the key to improving your health and reducing the health risks associated with OSA. We will monitor your progress and symptoms during routine dental visits and make personalized recommendations for lifestyle changes that can enhance your treatment and have you feeling better overall!

Contact us in Frisco or Little Elm today by calling 972-987-4899.

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