What causes sleep apnea?
Sleep apnea causes your breathing to stop and start repeatedly throughout the night—even hundreds of times. Most people who experience this condition have obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), where the tongue and muscles in the throat relax and block the airway. Typical symptoms of OSA are loud snoring and persistent tiredness, even after a full night’s sleep.
Sleepiness isn’t the only problem. Untreated sleep apnea can lead to mental health problems and other serious concerns like high blood pressure, heart problems, and type 2 diabetes.
Treatment
To support patients with mild to moderate OSA, Dr. Bagby and Dr. Stokke design a custom oral appliance that holds the jaw forward, preventing the tongue and throat muscles from blocking the airway. The simple appliance resembles a sport mouthguard and fits snugly and comfortably. It’s a noninvasive treatment that will help you get the sleep you need to improve your emotional and physical well-being.