Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) is the most common form of sleep apnea. During sleep apnea, the soft tissues in the back of the throat collapse, obstructing the airway. Patients with OSA continually stop and start breathing multiple times at night. As a result, OSA leads to abnormal heart rhythms and restless sleep. Dr. William Harper treats patients with sleep apnea in Newport News, VA. He helps address and prevents sleep apnea symptoms for a comfortable night of sleep and a healthy heart.
Many patients with sleep apnea are at risk of developing heart disease and other heart problems as a result of sleep apnea. Here you can discover more about how to spot the signs of sleep apnea as well as the treatments Dr. Harper offers for his sleep apnea patients.
Risk Factors and Symptoms of Sleep Apnea
There are multiple common signs of obstructive sleep apnea:
- Daytime sleepiness
- Snoring
- Difficulty sleeping
- Loud breathing
- Mouth breathing
- Difficulty concentrating
- Irritability
- Depression
- Weight gain
- Mood swings
Patients are more at risk of developing sleep apnea if they are:
- Overweight
- Male
- Over 40
- Diabetic
- Hypertensive
Please let our dental office know if you have noticed any signs of sleep apnea or may be at risk of developing a sleep disorder. Dr. Harper will work with you and your doctor to determine the right treatment option for your Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA). He works with patients to take their symptoms and risk factors into consideration. Once he fully understands the needs of his patients, he is able to create customized care.
Treating Sleep Apnea in Newport News, VA
Dr. Harper not only focuses on the health of the teeth and gums but also has experience treating sleep apnea and TMD patients. Because of this, he has a thorough understanding of the joints and the airways to help diagnose patients with obstructive sleep apnea. Dr. Harper also collaborates with medical specialists to discover the right solution for his patient’s goals and health needs. One of the best options for sleep apnea patients is oral devices or appliances.
Oral sleep devices are an alternative to a CPAP machine. CPAP machines can be a noisy or uncomfortable option for patients who have mild sleep apnea. Dr. Harper creates custom oral appliances that sleep apnea patients can wear at night. These appliances are portable and comfortable to wear. When worn at night, oral appliances keep the airway open so patients can breathe regularly and comfortably. Dr. Harper will take dental impressions to create the oral appliance so it fits and feels comfortable.
Request a Sleep Apnea Consultation Today
Have you or a loved one noticed symptoms of obstructive sleep apnea? Call Dr. Harper today. If you are a new patient, call us at 757.414.7227. Current patients may call 757.868.8152. Feel free to schedule a dental appointment with Dr. Harper on our website. Please let Dr. Harper know if you have any questions about your symptoms or sleep apnea treatment. He will be happy to help you get the care you need.