Hidden Dangers of Sleep Apnea

Snoring may seem comical, but obstructive sleep apnea is no joke. It can increase your risk of high blood pressure and diabetes – and even make you more dangerous on the road. Although sleep apnea has many dangers, we’ll discuss a few. At Greenville Family Dentistry, Dr. Christopher Emuedue can treat sleep apnea with two oral surgery procedures depending on the severity of the case.

Obstructive sleep apnea can contribute to high blood pressure in people who have it. The frequent nighttime awakenings that plague people with sleep apnea cause hormonal systems to go into overdrive, which results in high blood pressure levels at night. People with obstructive sleep apnea are also more likely to suffer heart attacks and die in the middle of the night. The causes may be low oxygen or the stress of waking up often during sleep. Weight gain plays another role in the hidden dangers of sleep apnea. Adding weight raises your risk of sleep apnea, and up to two-thirds of people with sleep apnea are severely overweight. Obstructive sleep apnea can often be cured if you lose enough weight, but that can be tough to do.

If you have been diagnosed with sleep apnea, schedule a consultation with us to discuss your treatment options. To learn more about sleep apnea, visit www.greenvillefamilydentistrytx.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Christopher Emuedue at Greenville Family Dentistry in Greenville, TX, call 903-455-6701.

Treatment for Sleep Apnea in Greenville, TX

Sleep apnea can be a tiresome and dangerous condition to wrestle with daily. However, you do not need to live with it anymore. Here at Greenville Family Dentistry of Greenville, TX we provide several treatment options for our patients suffering from the complications of sleep apnea.

Sleep apnea can increase the risk of heart disease, stroke, heart failure, and liver disease. Not to mention, it causes severe fatigue for both the person suffering from sleep apnea and their sleeping partner.

We perform three different oral surgeries to solve sleep apnea. The first procedure is called an uvulopalatopharyngoplasty. This procedure consists of removing excess tissue in the throat to open up the airway. Maxillomandibular advancement is another surgical option we have for sleep apnea. This procedure involves moving the upper and lower jaws forward, away from the rest of the facial bones. This creates a larger space behind the soft palate. A tracheostomy is the last procedure we have for sleep apnea. This is usually treated as a last resort. A tracheostomy works by inserting a tube into the front of the throat for breathing while sleeping. The tube is covered during the day, and then opened up when it’s time to sleep. Sleep apnea is a difficult and frustrating condition to live with. If appliances and other treatments have failed to help you, come to Greenville Family Dentistry to see if oral surgery may help you!

To schedule a consultation, call Greenville Family Dentistry of Greenville, TX at (903) 455-6701 or visit our website, www.greenvillefamilydentistrytx.com.