Obesity and Sleep Apnea

If your partner kicks you in the middle of the night because you’re snoring too loud it might be time to rule out sleep apnea. Those who experience loud snoring and breathing difficulties while sleeping are generally suffering from Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome. Sleep apnea is a serious disorder, that Dr. Alan Dilsaver, DDS, FAGD can treat, but this condition is worsened when a patient is obese. Let us explain why.

Obesity, especially the morbid kind (BMI>40), can lead to sleep apnea, which itself then causes hormones to become out of control. In addition to sleep deprivation, this condition can lead to high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and even more weight gain because sleep apnea can cause a patient to eat more. If you are concerned about sleep apnea, you should talk to your doctor. As a treatment option, Dr. Alan Dilsaver, DDS FAGD may suggest an oral appliance depending on the severity.

If you have questions or concerns about sleep apnea, please give us a call. To learn about the services and technology we provide at our practice, visit www.lehighvalleysmiles.net for more information. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Alan Dilsaver, DDS, FAGD in Easton, PA, call 610-252-7414.

Sleep Apnea Surgeries and Treatment

Obstructive sleep apnea is a dangerous condition. If you suffer from sleep apnea, be sure to contact Lehigh Valley Smiles of Easton, PA to see what we can do for you. In this blog, we will talk about the types of surgeries available to treat obstructive sleep apnea, plus some tips for at home.

There are several surgery options available here at Lehigh Valley Smiles, depending on the condition of the patient and any past surgeries or treatments. The first option is called an uvulopalatopharyngoplasty. In this procedure, the doctor removes some of the soft tissue that is blocking the airway. Another option is maxillomandibular advancement which moves the upper and lower parts of the jaw forward to create more room in the airway.

Tracheostomy is a last-resort procedure to help when other procedures have failed to correct the problem. This procedure creates an opening in the throat where a tube is placed for breathing during the night. During the day, the tube is removed and the opening is covered.

In addition to surgery, there are some lifestyle changes that can help decrease the severity of sleep apnea. Keeping a healthy weight is important. In addition, there are some sleeping habits to get into, like sleeping on your side as opposed to your back. Sedatives like sleeping aids and alcohol should also be avoided.

Sleep apnea can increase the risk of hypertension, heart failure, and stroke. To schedule a consultation at Lehigh Valley Smiles here in Easton, PA, call our office at (610) 252-7414 or visit our website, www.lehighvalleysmiles.net.

Hidden Health Dangers of Sleep Apnea

Sleep apnea literally means, “Without breath during sleep.” Clinically, this means that patients are actually stopping their breathing pattern periodically through the night. These episodes are brief, but can take a toll on a person’s overall physical health. No one wants to stop breathing and no one wants to lose sleep. If you suspect you have sleep apnea, Dr. Alan Dilsaver, DDS, FAGD will recommend non-surgical therapies to give you an improved quality of life.

Not only do breathing disruptions interfere with sleep, leaving you unusually tired the next day, they also promote poor health and chronic disease by reducing the amount of oxygen in your blood. This can impair the function of internal organs and/or exacerbate other health conditions you may have. Additionally, sleep apnea can dramatically weaken your immune systems, impair your mental and physical performance, as well as promote diabetes, gout, and heart disease.

If you or a loved one suffers from sleep apnea, please give us a call to discuss your treatment options. To learn about the services we provide at our practice, visit www.lehighvalleysmiles.net for more information. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Alan Dilsaver, DDS, FAGD in Easton, PA, call 610-252-7414.

Sleep Apnea Solutions at Lehigh Valley Smiles

Sleep apnea is a sleep disorder that causes more than loud snoring and interrupted sleep. It is a serious condition that should be accurately treated. Dr. Alan Dilsaver, DDS, FAGD, of Lehigh Valley Smiles, our Easton, PA dental practice has experience helping his patients who suffer from sleep apnea and offer several procedures to correct the condition.

Obstructive sleep apnea occurs when the soft palate collapses, creating a blockage to the airway. This can cause a person to stop breathing hundreds of times per night. If a sleeping partner has been telling you that you stop breathing while sleeping, or if you feel a sore throat and excessive tiredness in the mornings, it is time to see the doctor.

Sleep apnea not only causes fatigue to you and a sleeping partner, but it increases the risk of hypertension, stroke, liver problems, and heart failure. It can also cause complications with medications and surgery, being especially dangerous when undiagnosed.

Dr. Dilsaver has success performing oral surgeries to unblock the airway. Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty removes excess tissue from the upper mouth and throat. Maxillomandibular advancement moves the jaw forward to allow more room behind the soft palate. These are two solutions that are generally used first. A tracheostomy is a procedure for when others have failed. In this procedure, a tube is inserted into your throat that opens at night. These procedures are all safe and Dr. Dilsaver is experienced in performing them all.

If you have been suffering with sleep apnea, schedule an appointment with Dr. Alan Dilsaver, DDS, FAGD, of Lehigh Valley Smiles here at our Easton, PA location. To schedule, call (610) 252-7414 or visit our website, www.lehighvalleysmiles.net.

Sleep Apnea

Sleep apnea is a serious disorder that affects the way you breathe while sleeping, causing your breath to become interrupted for 10 to 20 seconds at a time and jolting you out of your natural sleep rhythm multiple times a night. As a result, your energy, mental acuity and productivity can suffer. Over time, sleep apnea can even lead to serious health problems, such as diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke and weight gain.

At Lehigh Valley Smiles, we use oral surgery to treat sleep apnea and increase the quality of sleep and life for patients.  Oral surgery relieves sleep apnea symptoms by removing the blockage caused by excess tissue, which vibrates and blocking the upper air passages. Once way this is done is through UPPP, or uvulopalatopharyngoplasty, which involves removing excess tissue from the upper mouth and throat while under general anesthesia. Maxillomandibular advancement is another procedure used to treat sleep apnea. This procedure moves the lower jaw forward, away from the rest of facial bones, which allows more room behind the soft palate and reduces any obstruction.

If these treatments fail to relieve your sleep apnea, a tracheostomy can be performed. A tracheostomy is when a tube is inserted into your throat to allow breathing. The tube is covered during the day while you are awake and then opened at night while you sleep.

If you believe you have sleep apnea, call (610) 252-7414 to schedule an appointment. For more information, visit www.LehighValleySmiles.net.