Sleep Apnea Treatment Los Angeles & Beverly Hills

Sleep apnea is a serious disorder in which a sufferer’s airway relaxes and closes during sleep, preventing the body from getting enough critical oxygen. sleep apnea is characterized by a complete or partial cessation of breathing during sleep. The interruptions in breathing, called “apnea”, can lead to a variety of other dangerous medical conditions.

Heavy snoring is often a warning sign of sleep apnea. Due to the lack of oxygen and numerous arousals throughout the night, the sufferer’s overall health can be seriously harmed.

There are three types of sleep apnea: central, obstructive, and mixed. In central sleep apnea (CSA), the brain fails to instruct the body to breath. In obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), the upper airway repeatedly collapses during sleep, either completely or partially preventing air from reaching the lungs. Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is far more common than central sleep apnea (CSA). Mixed sleep apnea is a combination of central and obstructive.

Do you sleep well?

Most people don’t get enough sleep. Studies have shown that one third of the US population does NOT sleep well. We are a society that burns the candle at both ends, a nation where people stay up all night to study, work, or have fun. However, going without adequate sleep carries with it both short- and long-term consequences.

Lack of adequate sleep, “untreated sleep apnea”, affects your wellbeing, judgment, mood, ability to learn, retain information, and may increase the risk of serious accidents and injuries.

In the long term, chronic sleep deprivation may lead to a variety of health problems including obesity, diabetes, high blood pressure, cardiovascular diseases and erectile dysfunction, as well as memory and concentration impairment.

Be aware!

If you wake up in the morning and do not feel refreshed, it means that you are not sleeping well and you that may need to be checked for sleep apnea (OSA).

Some of the symptoms of OSA include:

• Snoring
• Poor concentration
• Loss of libido
• Tiredness upon waking up
• Daytime sleepiness

CPAP is the recommended treatment for most patients, where they utilize a simple oxygen mask during sleep. Often, patients are uncomfortable, do not like wearing it and are unable to comply with using it regularly. For those who are not able to use CPAP successfully, special dental appliances have been an alternative method of treatment. Several dental appliances such as “Tap Appliance I & III”, “Somnodent” and “Herbst Appliance” have grown popularity to increase the necessary flow of oxygen to the brain.

At Los Angeles based offices of The Beverly Dentistry, Dr. Halim uses the most sophisticated technology from initial diagnosis to treatment selection. Initial snoring tests are available for our patients using a “Pulse Xoimeter” device. In accordance, patients undergo a thorough evaluation at a sleep test center to determine a proper diagnosis. After the evaluation and consultation with ENT specialist is complete, the proper device of choice is selected and fabricated based. Continuous sleep studies are then conducted to properly calibrate and adjust your device according to your oxygen level needs and based on accurate Rheometer evaluations. Often, your medical insurance may be used for sleep apnea treatment.

Treating your sleep apnea disorder enhances your quality of life!

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