Healthy sleep is crucial to overall health

With the hectic pace of modern life, many people short themselves on sleep. Additionally, they fail to provide themselves with appropriate sleeping conditions such as a quiet, darkened room and comfortable bed. Others have a sleep disorder called obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) that interferes with healthy sleep. Whether the cause is environmental or physical, the results are damaging. Studies have linked insufficient healthy sleep to obesity, cardiovascular disease, reduced mental clarity, impaired memory, and daytime drowsiness, among other symptoms.

Sufficient healthy sleep is only partially under the sleeper’s control: environmental conditions and lifestyle habits can be changed. However, if it is obstructive sleep apnea, it is imperative to seek the help of a professional for diagnosis and treatment. At Eastland Dental Center, Dr. Mike Milligan and his skilled team have extensive experience helping Bloomington residents sleep well with state-of-the-art diagnostic technology and non-invasive treatment for OSA.

The word apnea is from Greek apnos, which means “without breathing.” Sleep apnea is a repeated cessation of breathing during sleep that can occur hundreds of times a night. Usually, the sleeping person isn’t aware of these episodes, because the brain only partially wakens the sleeper, just enough to signal breathing to resume, resulting in poor quality, fragmented sleep.

According to the National Sleep Foundation, more than 18 million Americans suffer from this disorder. Some of the symptoms of obstructive sleep apnea are loud snoring, obesity, headache and/or dry mouth in the mornings, and awaking breathless or choking during the night. However, these symptoms are inconsistent; none of them is always present. Only a sleep study, can determine if sleep apnea is present and the severity of it.

Patients at Eastland Dental can have their sleep test in the comfort and privacy of their own home, using an innovative portable sleep apnea diagnostic system. If it is determined that a patient suffers from OSA, they will again benefit from advanced technology. The treatment of choice for OSA at Eastland Dental is an intraoral device called the Moses. This device allows patients to talk, drink, open wide, and close their lips while wearing it. We believe the advanced design makes it the most effective and comfortable device available.

If you think you may have OSA, call (309) 663-4711 and schedule a consultation. Your body needs, and you deserve a good night’s sleep.