Sleep Apnea and TMJ Clinic Connecticut such as fatigue during the day, loud snoring and intermittent pauses in breathing, can disrupt your quality of life and affect those around you. Left untreated, it can lead to serious health problems including high blood pressure, heart disease, diabetes, depression and obesity.
Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is the most common form of the disorder. It occurs when your throat muscles relax during sleep, causing the tongue and soft tissue to collapse into the airway, narrowing it. Breathing stops for seconds, sometimes minutes, until the muscles regain their strength and the airway opens. This can occur hundreds of times per night.
How the Sleep Apnea and TMJ Clinic in Glastonbury, CT Can Improve Your Sleep
Your body is deprived of oxygen and the brain becomes stressed, resulting in a host of symptoms, including memory problems, loss of concentration, mood changes, headaches, sore throats, heart disease, high blood pressure, stroke and diabetes. Repeated cycles of low oxygen levels can damage the organs and nerves, leading to premature death.
Dr. Elnazer is trained in a variety of sleep apnea treatments and will evaluate your case carefully. He can diagnose obstructive sleep apnea during a consultation in our Stratford office and may refer you for a sleep study to confirm the condition. He can also design a custom oral appliance to support your jaw forward during sleep, which keeps the airway open and prevents obstructive breathing. This is a great solution for people who cannot tolerate CPAP therapy. The device looks like a sports mouth guard and fits comfortably into your mouth while you sleep.