Do you suffer from daily headaches that occur right after you wake up?
Headaches make it hard to focus and cause patients to feel tired and irritated. They can create a poor quality of life. Chronic headaches in the mornings may be a clue that you have sleep apnea.
Patients who have headaches from sleep apnea may find that over-the-counter pain medications offer little to no relief. What many patients are unaware of is that your dentist may be able to treat your sleep apnea without a bulky CPAP machine.
Fuller Dental offers innovative treatment for patients who have been diagnosed with sleep apnea in Burlington, NC. This treatment is less invasive than a CPAP machine and is easy to use. In addition to treating headaches, we also treat common dental concerns that patients have every day.
What is Sleep Apnea?
Sleep apnea is a common and complex health problem that affects millions of Americans. It is a serious medical condition that affects the oral and overall health of the patient. It can cause oral and systemic health issues that can impact the quality of life.
Sleep apnea occurs when the airway is blocked during sleep, and oxygen flow stops for a small amount of time. Patients with sleep apnea wake to gasp for air, snore loudly, and experience chronic fatigue. They are unable to enjoy a full restful night of sleep.
If you wake suddenly gasping for air, wake with chronic headaches, have trouble focusing during the day, find yourself falling asleep during the day, or snore loudly, you may be experiencing this type of sleep disorder. Chronic fatigue, depression, and irritability are also symptoms.
How does sleep apnea cause headaches?
The cease in oxygen flow to the brain during the night can lead to these types of headaches. Patients wake in the morning feeling tired, and restless, and often have severe headaches that may interrupt their ability to conduct their daily routine.
How can I treat headaches caused by sleep apnea?
Dr. Peterson of Fuller Dental is a member of the American Academy of Sleep Medicine. He stays informed on all the latest research and treatment for sleep apnea and other sleep disorder. Always at the forefront of dental technology, Dr. Peterson offers treatment for sleep disorders. Oral sleep devices work very well and offer a discreet treatment option offered by Fuller Dental.
Most patients can handle oral appliances very well. They have a high compliance rate among patients which leads to a decrease in both symptoms and health risks. Your oral sleep appliance is much like a mouth guard that you wear at night while sleeping.
Repositioning the jaw for natural airflow, the oral appliance reduces or eliminates the continual cessation of breathing that leads to symptoms and health problems.
An oral sleep mouthpiece will reposition the jaw to allow for natural airflow. This will reduce the number of times the patient stops breathing while asleep. The patient will experience fewer symptoms and health issues including headaches. The oral device is small, portable, and easy to use. Patients can still speak and drink water when it is in place.
Schedule A Dental Exam Today
If you or a loved one experiences headaches on an almost daily basis, be sure to contact your Fuller Dental dentist. Seeking treatment for chronic headaches and sleep apnea as soon as possible can prevent further health complications. Give us a call or request an appointment online today.