Sleep is vitally important to our health and well-being. Without enough of it, you could suffer ill effects. In fact, chronic poor sleep increases the likelihood of developing dementia, heart disease, obesity, type 2 diabetes, and certain cancers, says Johns Hopkins. Sleep deprivation can also lead to memory and learning challenges, increased stress, daytime fatigue, irritability and other mood changes.
If you suffer from sleep disorders such as insomnia, sleep apnea, or circadian rhythm disorders, there is help out there for you. Sleep medicine is a medical specialty focusing on the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of sleep disorders as well as disturbances. Today let’s take a look at what sleep medicine is and how we can help you here at Ashby Dental with sleep medicine in Berkeley CA.
Sleep Medicine: Defined
As touched on above, sleep medicine is a medical specialty focused on the diagnosis, treatment, and management of a variety of sleep disorders. These disorders range from common issues such as sleep apnea and insomnia to more complex conditions such as restless leg syndrome and narcolepsy.
Requiring a multi-disciplinary approach, sleep medicine is a collaborative effort between healthcare professionals such as neurologists, sleep specialists, pulmonologists, and psychologists. Treatment can involve behavioral therapies, medications, and lifestyle modifications. In many cases, specialized equipment like CPAP machines and Oral Appliance Therapy (OAT) can help immensely.
The main goal of sleep medicine is to help people reclaim restorative sleep, which is critical for overall health, cognitive function, physical well-being, and mood regulation. Anything from sleep studies to home sleep tests can provide a diagnosis. In a nutshell, sleep medicine is designed to address the complex relationship between health and sleep, with a goal of boosting not only the quality but the duration of sleep.
How Ashby Dental Helps
Everyone should wake up in the morning feeling energized and rested. Sleep is one of the three main pillars of health, alongside exercise and nutrition. Sleep takes up about a third of a person’s life, affecting all aspects of health and wellbeing. Unfortunately, many people simply don’t get the ZZZs they need to take on the day.
In fact, between 50 to 70 million Americans suffer from sleep disorders, and one in three adults do not regularly receive the recommended amount of uninterrupted sleep they need in order to protect their health, according to Sleephealth.org.
Here at Ashby Dental, we offer personalized treatments for both sleep apnea and snoring. The good news is, these solutions can fit seamlessly into your lifestyle so you don’t have to worry about accommodating invasive or uncomfortable treatments.
Perhaps you’ve been struggling with a CPAP machine or maybe you just want a quieter, more comfortable solution. Whatever the case, you may be a good candidate for our Oral Appliance Therapy (OAT) for the relief you’ve been seeking. This innovative, patient-centered approach to sleep medicine can be yours when you visit us for a consultation today.
Sleep apnea is one of the most common reasons patients seek out OAT with us. This is a sleep disorder characterized by repeated episodes of shallow breathing or breathing cessation during sleep. These episodes can last anywhere from a few seconds to several minutes. Obstructive sleep apnea is the most common type, and this is when the airway collapses or becomes blocked due to excess weight, narrow airways, or enlarged tonsils.
There are many reasons why we treat sleep apnea:
- Stop snoring and sleep disruptions
- Improve energy levels
- Reduce irritability and mood swings
- Protect brain health
- Lower risk of accidents
- Prevent serious health risks
- Enhance focus and memory
Oral Appliance Therapy (OAT) is a comfortable, effective, and quiet solution for the management of sleep apnea and snoring.
Benefits of OAT
From comfort to convenience, there are many benefits associated with OAT:
- Comfortable fit: Because your device is custom made for you, it feels natural and comfortable to wear.
- Quiet and portable: OAT is great for home and travel, and involves no bulky equipment like with a CPAP machine.
- Convenient care: OAT is easy to clean and maintain on a daily basis.
This customized oral appliance is similar to a dental retainer, made to fit over your teeth. It gently pushes the lower jaw forward so your airway stays open during sleep. This also helps to prevent the tongue and soft tissues from blocking the airway.
Dr. Guerisoli, a member of the American Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine (AADSM), is part of this national organization representing dentists treating sleep-related breathing disorders. Because of this experience and access to education and resources, Dr. Guerisoli can provide optimal patient care right here in the office.
Book a Sleep Medicine Consultation With Ashby Dental Today
If you suffer from sleep apnea or other sleep disorders and want relief once and for all, book your appointment with us today for a sleep medicine consultation in Berkeley CA.
