Do you wake yourself snoring? Does your sleeping partner complain about you odd, choppy breathing? Do you ever wake up choking or gasping for air? If so, you probably never thought to talk about the problem with Dr. Pointer. We believe that you should.
Snoring and obstructive sleep apnea can stem from a problem with your jaw position. In some cases, the lower jaw relaxes and moves slightly backward during sleep. This position allows soft tissues in the mouth and throat to block airflow. A partial blockage can cause snoring, which is the sound of tissues vibrating as air pushes past. Complete airflow blockage that occurs for repeated periods of ten seconds or more is known as obstructive sleep apnea or OSA. While snoring can be bothersome, OSA is more serious. It can increase the risk for heart attack, daytime drowsiness, depression, lethargy, forgetfulness, and irritability.
Dr. Pointer can prescribe a comfortable oral appliance, which is a nightguard that holds the lower jaw in proper position while you sleep. This may eliminate your sleep disorder and restore the fulfilling, restful sleep your body needs to function properly. In some cases, Dr. Pointer refers patients to a sleep lab for clinical diagnosis. Talk with him about your sleep problems the next time you visit. A simple nightguard may provide you with sweet dreams.
