Dentist in Kirkwood, MO
Sleep apnea is a sleep disorder in which breathing repeatedly stops and starts during sleep. The most common form of sleep apnea is obstructive sleep apnea, where the soft tissues and muscles of the throat relax and block the airway.
This can lead to people not getting enough oxygen or being woken up throughout the night. There are many dangers associated with this disorder including memory loss, high blood pressure, difficulty concentrating, weight gain, depression and more.
Many people with sleep apnea go undiagnosed because the average person does not get screened for this. Dr. Victoria Daugherty has completed her Mastery I Certification for the American Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine, achieving the status of an AADSM Qualified Dentist for the management of sleep apnea.
She takes part in the screening and management of this disorder because she knows it can cause major health problems including diabetes, heart attack, stroke, high blood pressure, irregular heart beat, and even death.
As Dr. Victoria says, “Educating my patients on ways to prevent these major health problems is something I am very proud to take part in.”
One of the primary causes for Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) in adults is excess weight, something that can cause throat and tongue tissues to increase in size. The more relaxed the muscles are, the more likely that this tissue will block an airway.
Snoring is a symptom of sleep apnea, but this cannot be used to determine the severity of your condition. With snoring, we usually recommend a more detailed evaluation from a sleep physician, but Dr. Victoria can provide options to eliminate or reduce snoring.
Other symptoms of sleep apnea can include:
Not only can snoring affect your health and energy level, but it can also cause a disruptive sleep environment for your partner, making it difficult sometimes to sleep in the same room. Proper management can improve your health and make your sleep mate much happier.
Dr. Daugherty makes oral appliances that can manage your breathing and snoring. The appliance is worn when you sleep and it positions your lower jaw in a slightly forward position, which opens your airway. It is comfortable and effective. These appliances have been researched extensively, and they provide great results.
St. Louis Dental West
Featured Services
Hours
Mon-Wed 7 A.M. – 3 P.M.
Thur 8 A.M. – 2 P.M.
Fri, Sat & Sun Closed
