Sleep Apnea Treatment

Sleep Apnea Treatment

Serving patients in Vernon Hills, Libertyville, Lincolnshire and Mundelein, IL since 1992

SLEEP APNEA TREATMENT

Snoring, gasping, and waking up feeling fatigued after a night of sleep may all be warning signs of sleep apnea. In addition to these symptoms, the condition can also increase your risk of more serious conditions, like heart disease. Dr. Philip V. Goduco offers effective sleep apnea treatment at our Vernon Hills, IL, office, using premium, custom-crafted SomnoDent® or Tap 3 Oral Appliances. Once you have been diagnosed with the sleep disorder, an oral appliance is often the first treatment option. This customized device works by bringing your lower jaw forward, opening the airway and preventing the collapse of soft tissue. 

SLEEP APNEA DEFINED

Sleep apnea is an involuntary interruption in your breathing that occurs as you sleep. There are three types of sleep apnea, however obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is the most common. This type of sleep apnea occurs when your airway is blocked by a collapse of the soft tissues in the back of your throat. These interruptions in breathing can happen hundreds of times in a night. In response, the brain will waken you to signal breathing, resulting in fragmented and poor quality sleep. Some signs of sleep apnea include:
  • Extremely loud, disruptive snoring
  • Awaken gasping and out of breath multiple times each night
  • Awaken in the morning with a sore or dry throat, or a headache
  • Fatigue
  • Irritability
If left untreated, sleep apnea can lead to high blood pressure, cardiovascular disease, memory problems, weight gain, impotence, and more.

HOW IS SLEEP APNEA DIAGNOSED?

Sleep apnea can only be diagnosed with a sleep study performed either in a professional sleep lab or in the home. However, there are some signs Dr. Goduco can look for during an examination to determine whether it is likely that you have sleep apnea. After discussing your snoring and sleep habits, he will look at your throat and measure your soft palate and uvula. If your soft palate is elongated or your uvula is enlarged, you are more likely to have sleep apnea. If he believes you are suffering from the condition, he may recommend a sleep study.
Share by: