What is sleep apnea?
If you stop breathing periodically during sleep, you have sleep apnea. You may awaken to restart breathing up to 100 times per night.
Probably you remember nothing at all about the awakenings. However, if you sleep with someone else, your sleep partner will remember a great deal about the awakenings. There are three vital things that you need to know about sleep apnea:
| • | Not only does sleep apnea result in sleep deprivation, but it can also threaten your life. |
| • | Sleep apnea is a progressive sleep disorder (it gets worse as you age). |
| • | Treatment for sleep apnea is necessary and usually successful. |
90% of people who have sleep apnea don't know that they have it. Usually it is the bed partner who first notices that the person is struggling to breathe during sleep. Diagnosis and treatment are essential because sleep apnea can be life-threatening.
When evaluating and treating sleep disorders we have a three part mission:
| • | To provide comprehensive, state-of-the-art diagnostic and treatment services for the full range of sleep disorders. |
| • | To educate patients about sleep disorders, including symptoms, consequences of non-treatment and alternatives to correcting the problem. |
| • | To monitor patient progress to ensure that prescribed treatments are effective. |
We have established appropriate treatment protocols that are effective and standardized. These protocols result in predictable outcomes and treatment pathways. It is our passion to develop the role of the dentist in recognition and treatment of sleep breathing disorders.
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