Do you snore loudly? Do you ever awaken with a sore or very dry throat? Do you suffer from frequent morning headaches? If so, you may suffer from sleep apnea, which is a serious sleep disorder. Our knowledgeable orthodontists, Drs. Liang and Liang, provide oral appliances to treat sleep apnea in Washington, DC. To learn more about sleep apnea treatment and oral appliances, we invite you to call or visit Liang Orthodontics soon.
Sleep apnea is a sleep disorder characterized by interruptions and pauses in breathing. The more serious form of the disorder, obstructive sleep apnea, is caused by blockages in the airways, such as collapsed tissues or the tongue rolling back in the throat. When left untreated, sleep apnea can contribute to other serious medical conditions, including heart disease and high blood pressure.
Sleep apnea is rarely noticed by the person affected by it. More often than not, a family member will notice the signs of sleep apnea first. Symptoms of sleep apnea include:
- Extreme drowsiness during the day
- Irritability and personality changes
- Difficulty in staying asleep at night
- Snoring
- Waking up with a dry or sore throat
- Frequent headaches in the morning
If you notice any of these symptoms, please speak with our orthodontists as well as with your doctor.
Treatments for sleep apnea depend on the severity of the condition. For patients suffering from mild to moderate obstructive sleep apnea, our orthodontists may recommend an oral appliance to keep the airway open. These appliances can prevent the tongue from blocking the airways, or can hold your jaw in a position that prevents blockages in the air passages.
For more information on sleep apnea, and to schedule your consultation, please call our office at 202-966-7711.
