Find effective, comfortable sleep apnea treatment in the Normal, IL area

Obstructive sleep apnea is a concern for millions of Americans who think they just have a snoring problem. Snoring is one thing, but sleep apnea is something else entirely. Though the two share some similarities, the major difference between snoring and obstructive sleep apnea is that, in an apneic episode, breathing actually stops for a short time. Whether for a few seconds or for several, the lack of oxygen reaching the brain during these episodes can have a detrimental impact on health and wellbeing.

One or more of the common symptoms of obstructive sleep apnea means that treatment should be sought. In our Normal, IL dental office, we provide comfortable, effective treatment that eases symptoms such as:

• Loud, chronic snoring
• Gasping or choking sounds when sleeping
• Restlessness or fitfulness while sleeping
• Waking several times a night
• Leg swelling
• Daytime fatigue
• Irritability or depression
• Difficulty concentrating or remembering information
• Frequent accidents or “clumsiness”

Treatment for obstructive sleep apnea is designed to keep the airway open throughout sleep, when the muscles in the neck and face relax. The standard treatment most often recommended is CPAP, or continuous positive airway pressure.

The way that CPAP works is by forcing the airway open with air, which comes from a small bedside air compressor through a hose connected to a mask strapped around the head. Though this model can be effective at achieving its goal, there are several problems that lead many people to avoid treatment:

• Skin irritation around the nose or eyes
• Difficulty sleeping with a mask strapped around the head
• Feelings of claustrophobia
• Stuffy nose or dryness in the nasal passages
• Emotional upset due to the look and feel of the CPAP mask
• Discomfort due to forced air
• Dry mouth
• Disruption dueto the sound of the machine

Dr. Mike Milligan of Eastland Dental Center offers a comfortable, effective alternative to those who prefer to sleep with the use of a low-profile, unobtrusive appliance. Oral appliance therapy for obstructive sleep apnea keeps the airway open by slightly holding the mouth open during sleep. In our experience, patients who choose oral appliance therapy over CPAP treatment achieve better sleep and significant improvement in quality of life.

Regain control over your sleep habits – and your wellbeing – with comfortable sleep apnea treatment. Call for your private consultation.