Stop snoring with effective therapy from doctor in Brentwood

Snoring may be viewed as a mildly irritating condition; however, chronic snoring may be a sign of a serious underlying medical condition. Snoring occurs when air is unable to pass through the mouth and nose while an individual is sleeping. This may happen due to the narrowing of the airway caused by soft tissue blockage or inappropriate sleep posture.

It is estimated that about 40% of all people snore. Occasional snoring may not present a problem unless the noise disturbs other household members. As the lungs exert effort to draw oxygen through obstructed airways, a vibration of the soft palate in the roof of the mouth creates the sound of snoring, at times accompanied by snorting. If the muscles that maintain an open airway are too relaxed or excess tissue forms, snoring can occur. Factors that increase the likelihood of snoring include:

• Muscle relaxers, antihistamines, cold and flu remedies, and sleeping pills
• Alcohol
• Having excess weight
• Sleeping on the back or with a pillow that is too soft or too large
• Having nasal irregularities like a deviated nasal septum or a long soft palate or uvula

While snoring can be a benign condition, about 75 percent of people who snore have obstructive sleep apnea, which causes the airway to close, interrupting breathing and oxygen delivery multiple times during sleep. Sleep apnea, if left untreated, can have serious consequences beyond daytime sleepiness or a partner's discomfort, including:

• Heart attack, arrhythmia, or heart failure
• Diabetes
• High blood pressure
• Headaches
• Stroke
• Depression

At Brentwood Family Dental, Dr. Jamil Alkhoury is a talented, experienced, and respected dentist offering a comprehensive array of advanced dental and oral health care, including sleep apnea and snoring. Our office has been certified to conduct sleep studies for scoring and diagnosis of obstructive sleep apnea. Therapy for sleep apnea or snoring can include home treatment, behavior modification, or use of medical devices or equipment. Many patients respond favorably to treatment with our Medibyte oral airway appliance, which positions the jaw to maximize an open airway and the steady flow of oxygen.

For more information about treatment for sleep apnea and snoring, call our professional team today at 925-344-5296.
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