Sleep Apnea is a serious sleep disorder that often goes undiagnosed. Occurring while you sleep, repeated pauses in breathing or continued shallow breaths interrupt much-needed slumber. This condition can have a significant impact your overall health, not just your sleep.
Dr. Philip Clark provides treatment for sleep apnea, coordinating with your primary care physician to ensure you get the help you need. Our Fleming Island team wants you to get the good night sleep you deserve.
If you or a loved one are concerned that you may be suffering from sleep apnea, we encourage you to contact us to schedule your comprehensive consultation.
Although common, sleep apnea impacts your ability to sleep soundly, as well as interrupts rest for others. Lack of rest hinders daily activities and is related to reduced focus, headaches, increased stress, as well as digestive issues. Some telltale signs you may have sleep apnea include:
Disruptive Snoring
Morning Headaches
Dry Mouth Upon Waking
Chronic Fatigue
Restless Sleep
Individuals with sleep apnea typically have one of two types of the condition, Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) and Central Sleep Apnea (CSA). OSA is the most common form of sleep apnea and can be caused by hereditary issues such as a narrow throat or thick neck. Other factors such as allergies that contribute to congestion in the upper airways may also initiate to OSA. CSA is a neurological matter. It occurs when your brain does not send the proper signals to the muscles that control your breathing. Central sleep apnea is less common than its counterpart and may be a result of prior health issues such as heart attack or stroke.
Because the effects of sleep apnea are very serious, it is important to seek professional treatment as soon as possible.
Patients showing signs of sleep apnea can visit the practice of Dr. Philip K Clark, DMD for an efficient at-home sleep study. while typically, patients are sent to a sleep facility to for their slumber patterns determined, our team helps you skip this step.
Dr. Clark works closely with a provider of sleep study appliances to file an accurate medical insurance claim for your home sleep test (HST) and the oral device recommended for your tailored treatment. The HST appliance is used to measure your blood oxygen levels and airflow and will not affect your ability to fall asleep restfully.
When your results from your study are available, Dr. Clark works with sleep physicians to review the information and confirm your diagnosis.
Our Fleming Island dentist uses customized dental appliances to help patients breath easily and sleep comfortably. Your personalized device is designed to pull your lower jaw slightly forward, keeping your airways open and eliminating the risk of soft tissue collapse at the back of the throat.
CPAP, or continuous positive airway pressure, machines are commonly prescribed by Dr. Clark for our sleep apnea patients. If you qualify for a sleep apnea dental appliance, you can benefit from treatment that is easily implemented into your everyday life. Not to mention completely comfortable to use each night.
Seeking treatment for sleep apnea can greatly improve health, wellness, and your quality of life. To learn more about diagnosis and management in Fleming Island, contact our practice today!