Snoring & Sleep Apnea

Sleep Apnea & Snoring in Sterling, VA

Sleep Apnea & Snoring in Sterling, VA

If you or a partner snore, you know how frustrating it can be to not get a good night’s rest. Snoring can be a warning sign of sleep apnea. Sleep apnea not only affects the quality of your sleep but has also been linked with other diseases such as high blood pressure, obesity and heart problems. Dr. Tara Moshiri, who offers dentistry services at Artiste Dentistry in Sterling, VA shares several signs of sleep apnea and explains how she can help you manage the condition.
Common sleep apnea signs
If you have sleep apnea, you may notice one or more of these signs:
  • Frequent Snoring: Snoring, one of the most well-known signs of sleep apnea, occurs when your throat muscles vibrate when you sleep. If you have sleep apnea, your throat muscles relax and your airway becomes narrower when you sleep, which increases vibrations and worsens snoring.
  • Gasping and Choking: Sleep apnea occurs when you stop breathing multiple times during the night, usually for a few seconds at a time. Gasping and choking serves an important purpose because it opens your airway and allows you to begin breathing again. Unfortunately, sleep apnea is associated to strokes, high blood pressure and type II diabetes.
  • Fatigue: When your sleep is constantly interrupted, it's hard to feel rested and energetic. Fatigue can be a sign that you have sleep apnea.
  • Difficulty Concentrating: In addition to fatigue, you may also notice that it's harder to concentrate. Difficulty concentrating can be particularly dangerous if your job involves operating heavy machinery or driving for hours at a time.
  • Morning Headaches: Oxygen deprivation can also lead to morning headaches. Although the headaches usually go away an hour or two after you wake up, they can be a warning sign of sleep apnea.
  • Irritability: Sleep deprivation can also affect your moods, leaving you feeling irritable and depressed.
How is sleep apnea treated in Sterling, VA?
Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machines are the traditional treatment option for sleep apnea symptoms by forcing a constant stream of air into your throat through a mask. Although the treatment is effective, some people find the mask uncomfortable or can't get used to the noise that the machine makes.
Dr. Tara Moshiri offers a low-tech solution to the problem. She can fit you with a special oral appliance, The Thornton Adjustable Positioner (TAP) that you'll wear at night. The appliance moves your jaw forward, which helps keep your airway open, ensuring that you and your spouse or significant other can sleep soundly once again. This device eliminates the need for the bulky CPAP machine, and is adjustable and allows for a comfortable fit.
If you are suffering from simple snoring there are certain steps that you can take to reduce or stop snoring. Sleeping on the side can reduce the chance of the airway becoming obstructed. Other issues that can affect snoring and sleep apnea are diet and weight. Changing your dietary habits such as avoiding heavy meals and dairy before bed, reducing your consumption of red meat and increasing your consumption of fish, and losing weight if you are overweight can help.
Are you interested in learning about how we can help you beat sleep apnea?
Call Dr. Tara Moshiri, your Sterling, VA dentist at Artiste Dentistry,
at (703) 434-3286 to schedule an appointment today!