Snoring & Sleep Apnea

Houston, Texas

Do you suffer from chronic snoring? Does your partner complain about being kept awake by the constant rumbling emanating from you during the night? If so, it might be a sign that you suffer from a potentially life threatening condition called sleep apnea. More than 20 million Americans are affected by sleep apnea. If untreated, it can lead to:

• Hypertension
• Heart attack
• Stroke
• Depression
• Muscle pain
• Fibromyalgia
• Headaches
• Daytime sleepiness

Many people suffering from sleep apnea are unaware of the dangers this condition poses to their health. Fortunately, Houston neuromusculardentist, Dr. Ronald Konig can help you treat  this problem.

What is Sleep Apnea?

Sleep apnea is a condition marked by intermittent interruptions in your breathing while you sleep. When your breathing is disrupted, you wake up briefly in order to resume breathing. This may happen dozens of times an hour, and often, you will be unaware that your sleep has been interrupted. As a result, you may wake up tired and feel chronically fatigued throughout the day.

Sleep apnea develops when your airway becomes blocked. This generally occurs as a result of the soft tissue in the back of your throat collapsing. This blockage of your airway prevents you from breathing, ultimately depriving your brain and heart of oxygen. This can raise your blood pressure and heart rate, placing you at greater risk of heart attack or stroke. Since these interruptions in breathing may occur hundreds of times a night, the effects on your health can be devastating.

Sleep Apnea Symptoms

There are a variety of sleep apnea symptoms, and each person exhibits a unique combination of them. Some of the most common symptoms include:

• Excessive daytime sleepiness
• Headaches
• Short term memory issues
• Weight gain
• Chronic fatigue
• Gastric reflux
• Dry mouth
• Sore throat
• Slow metabolism
• High blood pressure
• Diabetes
• Depression
• Mood swings
• Decreased sex drive
• Snoring

Sleep Apnea Treatment

Houston TMJ dentist Dr. Konig works closely with physicians, sleep doctors, and sleep labs to help you with your sleep apnea. He will recommend the appropriate treatment option based on the unique circumstances surrounding your condition. Some of the most common treatments include:

• Lifestyle changes such as weight loss, reduced alcohol intake, or changing your sleeping position
• Oral appliance therapy to prevent airway blockage – recommended by AASM for mild-moderate sleep apnea
• CPAP, a device that uses a mask and an air blower to push air through your airway
• Surgery

If you snore regularly and believe that you may be suffering from sleep apnea, please contact our Houston, Texas neuromuscular dentist today to schedule your initial consultation with Dr. Konig.  Helping patients throughout Galveston, Houston, Sugar Land and Katy, Texas.