Information for
Sleep Apnea
Sleep apnea is a serious medical condition that affects many people, especially those in the Honolulu, HI, area. It is often characterized by loud snoring and irregular breathing patterns during sleep. If left untreated, sleep apnea can lead to more severe health complications such as high blood pressure, stroke, heart attack, and even death. That is why seeking treatment from a qualified healthcare provider, such as Dr. Joshua G.H. Cardwell, DDS in Honolulu, HI, is essential.
What is Sleep Apnea?
Sleep apnea is a severe sleep disorder in which a person’s breathing is interrupted during sleep. It is characterized by shallow or paused breathing for short periods. This temporary interruption of breathing can range from a few seconds to minutes in duration and can occur up to hundreds of times per night. Sleep apnea symptoms include loud snoring, daytime sleepiness, fatigue, and difficulty concentrating. Sleep apnea can lead to serious health issues such as high blood pressure, stroke, and heart failure if left untreated.
How do I Know if I Have Sleep Apnea?
Signs and symptoms of sleep apnea include loud snoring, excessive daytime sleepiness, frequent bathroom visits, morning headaches, inability to concentrate, and irritability. Other signs and symptoms include fatigue, depression, and dry mouth in the morning. It is essential to seek medical attention if you or a loved one is experiencing any of these signs and symptoms.
Sleep Apnea Treatments
Dr. Cardwell is a highly trained and experienced dentist specializing in treating sleep apnea and other related disorders such as temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJ). As a dentist, he understands how the various components of your mouth –- teeth, gums, tongue –- interact with the airways during sleep. He also understands how changes in your bite can affect how you breathe while sleeping; hence his ability to successfully treat cases of sleep apnea using dentally based therapies such as oral appliance therapy (OAT).
Oral Appliance Therapy
Oral appliance therapy is an effective tailored treatment option for mild to moderate forms of sleep apnea. This treatment aims to properly position the lower jaw forward during sleep and keep your airway open while you rest at night. Dr. Cardwell custom fits each patient with an adjustable device called a mandibular advancement splint (MAS), which helps reposition the jaw correctly during sleep and maintain an open airway throughout the night for uninterrupted breathing cycles without interference or obstruction from relaxed tissue or the tongue falling back into the throat.
CPAP
Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) is a standard treatment for sleep apnea. It provides the patient with a continuous air stream through a mask covering the nose and mouth. The air pressure keeps the airways open so the patient can breathe more easily. The patient can adjust the pressure to the most comfortable level for them. CPAP is a safe and reliable treatment that can improve the quality of life for those with sleep apnea.
Lifestyle Changes
He may also suggest lifestyle modifications that can help reduce symptoms associated with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), like reducing alcohol consumption before bedtime or sleeping on one’s side instead of back sleeping, which can cause airway blockages due to gravity pulling down on relaxed muscles in the throat region while lying flat on one’s back.
Sleep Apnea Treatment in Honolulu
At our practice in Honolulu, HI, Dr. Cardwell will work closely with you to address any concerns regarding your overall quality of life due to sleep apnea-related issues so that you can get back into enjoying life again! His extensive background and knowledge about dental disorders give him unique insight into helping patients find relief from their chronic symptoms so they can achieve better overall health outcomes Through personalized care plans tailored specifically for each individual’s needs to combining OAT treatments along with lifestyle modifications, Dr. Cardwell ensures that each patient receives optimal benefits from their chosen therapy approach so they can enjoy long-lasting results from their personalized treatment plan long after their course has finished!
