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Sleep Apnea

Sleep apnea is a common sleep disorder that affects millions of people worldwide. It is characterized by interruptions in breathing during sleep, leading to decreased oxygen levels in the body. One of the most common symptoms of sleep apnea is snoring. Fortunately, there are treatment options available for both sleep apnea and snoring.

What is Sleep Apnea?

Sleep apnea is a sleep disorder that causes people to stop breathing for brief periods during sleep. It is often accompanied by loud snoring, choking, or gasping sounds. Sleep apnea can cause a range of health issues, including high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, and diabetes.


Snoring, on the other hand, is a vibration of the tissues in the throat that occurs during sleep. It is often a sign of sleep apnea, but it can also be caused by other factors, such as allergies, congestion, or obesity.

Symptoms of Sleep Apnea

Sleep apnea has several noticeable signs that should not be ignored. If you suffer from sleep apnea, you are probably experiencing both night and daytime symptoms. These are the top symptoms of this condition:

Nighttime Symptoms

  • Loud snoring occurs when your lower jaw slackens during sleep and partially blocks the upper airway. 
  • Breathing cessations due to fully blocked airways can occur multiple times during the night. 
  • Frequently waking up either from snoring or because you are not breathing.
  • Restless sleeping because of frequent awakenings to force your body to breathe again.

Daytime Symptoms

  • Morning headaches due to low blood oxygen levels caused by multiple breathing cessations.
  • Daytime tiredness due to never being able to sustain a deep and rejuvenating sleep.
  • Weight gain because your body rarely experiences a deep sleep that regulates hormones.
  • Irritability due to a depletion of mood-boosting chemicals in the brain.

How is Sleep Apnea treated?

There are several treatment options available for sleep apnea and snoring including lifestyle changes and oral appliances.



  • Lifestyle changes, such as losing weight, avoiding alcohol and sedatives, and changing sleep positions, can help reduce the symptoms of sleep apnea and snoring.
  • Oral appliances, are another option for sleep apnea and snoring treatment. These appliances are custom-made for each patient and are designed to hold the jaw in a slightly forward position. This helps to keep the airway open, preventing snoring and interruptions in breathing.

Benefits of Sleep Apnea Treatment

  • Improved Sleep: Sleep apnea and snoring treatment can improve the quality of sleep, leading to better overall health and well-being.
  • Reduced Health Risks: By treating sleep apnea and snoring, patients can reduce the risk of developing serious health issues such as heart disease, stroke, and diabetes.
  • Better Quality of Life: By improving sleep and reducing health risks, sleep apnea and snoring treatment can help patients enjoy a better quality of life.
  • Customized Treatment: With oral appliances, patients can receive customized treatment that is tailored to their unique needs and preferences.
  • Non-Invasive: Treatment options such as oral appliances are non-invasive, meaning they do not require surgery or other invasive procedures.

Treating Sleep Apnea

Sleep apnea and snoring treatment is an important dental service that can help improve the quality of sleep and reduce the risk of serious health issues. With treatment options such as oral appliances, patients can receive customized, non-invasive treatment that is tailored to their unique needs. If you are experiencing symptoms of sleep apnea in Morrero, LA or snoring, talk to Dr. Andreotta to see if sleep apnea and snoring treatment is right for you.

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