Sleep Apnea Near Mount Kisco, NY
Enjoy Improved Health & Restful Sleep
Several things can cause snoring including large tonsils, a long soft palate, a large tongue, the uvula, and excess fat deposits in the throat all contribute to airway narrowing and snoring. Typically, the more narrow the airway space, the louder or more frequent your snoring will be. Snoring is one of the main symptoms of obstructive sleep apnea near Mount Kisco, NY.
What Is Obstructive Sleep Apnea?
Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) occurs when your tongue and soft palate collapse onto the back of your throat and block the upper airway, causing airflow to stop. In other words, breathing ceases and your oxygen intake is cut off. When your oxygen level drops low enough, your brain moves out of deep sleep and you awaken. You gasp for breath and when the airflow starts again, you move back into a deep sleep. The airway muscles collapse, and again the process repeats itself – sometimes hundreds of times a night.
Those who suffer from sleep apnea can experience daytime fatigue, heart problems (heart attack, congestive heart failure, hypertension), strokes, as well as having a higher incidence of work-related and driving-related accidents.
Dr. Lerner describes how sleep apnea and snoring are linked to your oral health. Learn the causes and solutions for this life-threatening issue in the video below.
How Do You Know if You Have OSA?
Dr. Lerner uses an overnight sleep study to help diagnose OSA. This study is called a Polysomnogram (PSG). For your convenience, we can arrange an at-home sleep study. This study will then be analyzed by a medical sleep specialist to make a diagnosis. Once the PSG is complete and analyzed, we confirm the diagnosis with patient evaluation and history.
Treatment Options
Good sleep habits, weight loss, and exercise are ways you can manage symptoms on your own. If medical treatment is necessary, devices and treatments include:
- Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP)
- Oral appliance therapy
- Surgery
The CPAP utilizes pressurized air generated by a bedside machine and delivered through a tube that connects to a mask you wear over your nose while you sleep. The CPAP pressurized air splints the airway open, similar to blowing air into a balloon.
Oral Appliance Therapy
Oral Appliance Therapy involves wearing a custom-designed oral appliance while you sleep that keeps your airway open.
Oral appliances work best for snoring and mild to moderate sleep apnea. These small devices are comfortable to use and are similar to orthodontic retainers or sports mouth guards. Approximately 40 appliances are FDA-approved for the treatment of snoring and/or sleep apnea. Oral appliances may be used alone or in combination with other means of treating OSA including general health care, weight management, surgery, or CPAP. Oral appliances work in several ways:
- They reposition your lower jaw, tongue, soft palate & uvula
- They stabilize your lower jaw & tongue
- They increase the muscle tone of your tongue
Dr. Lerner specializes in oral appliance therapy and can determine which appliance will best suit you. Discovering the most effective treatment option for you will be easiest with consultation between our office and your physician. Of course, we will monitor your progress and evaluate your response to the appliance.
There are times when the enlargement of tonsils or the anatomy of the soft palate may create an obstruction to the throat. It may be necessary to remove tonsils and adenoids (especially in children), or correct other anatomical obstructions in the throat. If this is the case for you, we will refer you to an ear, nose, and throat (ENT) specialist for evaluation.
Learn More About Sleep Apnea Near Mount Kisco, NY
To learn more about our treatments for sleep apnea, schedule your New Patient Exam by calling 914-245-4041 or by clicking here. Your appointment includes a comprehensive review of your health history and concerns; an evaluation of your teeth, bite, gums, and airway passage; low-radiation digital x-rays; and a discussion of your options with a personalized treatment plan. We look forward to meeting you!
As the premier holistic dental practice in Yorktown Heights, N.Y. and the Hudson Valley Region., our dentist and team at The Center For Holistic Dentistry also provide 5-star dental care to patients from White Plains, Cortlandt Manor, Katonah, Mount Kisco, Briarcliff Manor & Westchester County, N.Y., and the surrounding areas.