Sleep Apnea Solutions

Do you wake up feeling like you have not slept at all? Does your bed partner keep you up at night with incessant snoring? You or your bed partner may be suffering from sleep apnea. Below, we have answered some of the most common questions we get regarding snoring and sleep apnea. If you have any additional concerns, we will be happy to help.

What is sleep apnea?

Sleep apnea is a sleep disorder characterized by the cessation of breathing during sleep. It is caused by blocked airways and can lead to a variety of total body health problems. Untreated sleep apnea has been associated with increased risk of obesity, high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, and other problems caused by unnecessary stress on the body.

How do I know if I have sleep apnea?

Sleep apnea has a variety of common symptoms. If you are experiencing any of the symptoms below, please seek medical attention — you may be suffering from obstructive sleep apnea.

• excessive snoring
• cessation of breath during sleep
• insomnia
• daytime fatigue
• headaches or migraines
• attention problems
• irritability

Sometimes it is easier for your bed partner to tell if you have been snoring excessively or even ceasing to breathe during sleep. Talk to your family if you are unsure if you are exhibiting signs of sleep apnea.

How is sleep apnea treated?

Before beginning sleep apnea treatment, you must first be officially diagnosed with sleep apnea. This typically requires a sleep study. Once you are diagnosed, many doctors recommend a CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure) machine. This machine pumps air into your mouth and nose to help you breathe more easily during sleep. However, these machines are difficult to adapt to and many people give up treatment.

At Gilbart Dental Care, we offer an alternative dental treatment option. We can provide you with an oral appliance (similar to a mouthguard) that will alleviate snoring and help you sleep better at night. The appliance is worn while you sleep and moves your jaw forward so that the airway is not able to collapse. This will help you maintain good breathing patterns throughout the night.

Our oral appliances are much easier to get used to wearing than a CPAP machine. Depending on your specific situation, this may be all you need to treat your sleep apnea. Talk to our team to find out if one of these oral appliances is right for you.

What should I do if I think I have sleep apnea?

To avoid the negative consequences of untreated sleep apnea, we recommend scheduling an appointment with one of our offices right away. We will be happy to help you get the care you need. You can reach our Frederick, MD location at (240) 772-5643. You can reach our Hagerstown, MD location at (240) 949-7453. You can also use our online form to send us a message.

Our Sleep Apnea Treatment Maryland team will be delighted to help you find a date and time that works well with your personal schedule. We can’t wait to hear from you!